THE 

YOUNG MOTHER'S 
HANDBOOK 



MAR1ANNA WHEELER 




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HARPER & BROTHERS, NEW YORK 



THE 

YOUNG MOTHER'S 

HANDBOOK 

HOME TREATMENT, DIET, AND 

PHYSICAL TRAINING 

FOR CHILDREN 

BY 

MARIANNA ^HEELER 

AUTHOR OF 

"THE BABY: HIS CARE AND TRAINING" 

EX-SUPERINTENDENT OF THE BABIES' 

HOSPITAL, NEW YORK 




HARPER & BROTHERS PUBLISHERS 

NEW YORK AND LONDON 

MCMXI V 






MAR 181914 



COPYRIGHT. 1914. BY HARPER a BROTHERS 



PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
PUBLISHED MARCH. 1914 

c-o 



©CIA369371 

too/ 



CONTENTS 

CHAP. PAGE 

Foreword vii 

Part I 
SIMPLE AILMENTS OF CHILDREN 

I. Common Skin Diseases 3 

II. The Eyes and Ears . 21 

III. The Head and Throat ...... 39 

IV. Home Treatment without Medicine . 51 

V. Colic and Attendant Ills 62 

VI. Home Cures for Scurvy 69 



Part II 

THE TRAINING OF CHILDREN 

VII. Training the Baby to Sleep . 

VIII. "Managing" the Child . . . 

IX. Heredity and Environment . 

X. The Question of Punishment 

XI. Teaching Baby to Walk . . 

XII. Physical Training for City Children 



81 

94 
107 
120 

133 
150 



FOREWORD 

FROM the time a baby is born until it 
is several years old it offers to its 
anxious mother various problems of diet, 
health, and care. If a doctor is constantly 
available these problems need not harass 
her. If one is not, they may become a 
grave menace to her peace of mind and to 
the child's welfare. The purpose of this 
little book is not to usurp the doctor's 
duties, but to offer help when he is not 
available, and above all to teach mothers 
how to recognize and check their children's 
simple ailments before they become suffi- 
ciently serious to demand a physician's 
attention. 

The suggestions which follow are the 
result of the writer's experience of fifteen 
years as superintendent of the Babies' 
Hospital of New York. M w 



Part I 
SIMPLE AILMENTS OF CHILDREN 



THE YOUNG MOTHER'S 
HANDBOOK 



COMMON SKIN DISEASES 

MANY little points connected with the 
general care of the baby which are 
frequently entirely overlooked or only 
casually noticed and passed over as unim- 
portant are of much more moment than 
mothers realize. While there are un- 
doubtedly many unimportant things that 
it is just as well not to worry about, on the 
other hand there are a great many little 
things which occur with infants which, 
while seemingly unimportant, often cause 
considerable discomfort to the baby and, 



4 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

if neglected, might end more seriously than 
anticipated. 

It is my intention to take up carefully 
all the minor details and little things to be 
observed about the scalp, skin, mouth, 
eyes, ears, etc. We will commence with 
the skin. 

The cuticle, or outer skin, of an infant is 
especially delicate and sensitive and very 
easily affected by different conditions; 
consequently, considerable attention should 
be exercised in its care. Pimples, rashes, 
etc., should be carefully noted and treated; 
and very often the treatment is so simple 
that cure or relief is entirely within the 
power of the mother or nurse. 

The first warning is this: do not use 
strong or cheap soaps on the skin of the 
infant. If the skin is very tender, if there 
is eczema or a tendency to it, if the skin 
chafes or chaps easily, if during the hot 
weather the child suffers from prickly heat, 
if the skin is dry or scaly — it is much better 
to use no soap at all, and to depend upon 
the bran-bath to soften the water enough to 
cleanse the skin. In fact, in some cases, 
especially where there is eczema, the tub- 



COMMON SKIN DISEASES 5 

bath should be omitted altogether, and 
only those parts of the body that actually 
need it should be sponged with water. 

The most common affections of the skin 
of children are as follows : eczema, prickly 
heat, furunculosis (small boils), ringworms, 
seborrhoea, intertrigo, and hives, or, as it is 
sometimes called, urticaria. 

Of these diseases eczema is probably the 
most stubborn and trying to treat. The 
stages of the disease best known are the 
acute, or weeping, stage, where the skin is 
bright red, accompanied with heat and in- 
tense itching, and where the skin is shiny, 
with a clear watery serum oozing from it. 
This kind of eczema is most trying, and 
little encouragement as to its speedy cure 
can be given. At times it will seem as 
though some headway is being made, new 
skin and apparently healthy skin forms on 
parts of the body, but the cure is only 
temporary. It is almost sure to break out 
in another part of the body, or at some un- 
guarded moment, when the watchful care 
has been suspended somewhat, the child 
gets at the affected parts, scratches, and 
undoes the faithful work of weeks. 



6 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

In the majority of cases where there is 
this severe or weeping form of eczema the 
mother had better prepare herself in the 
beginning for a long siege; the skin will, 
with some short periods of rest, need most 
careful attention, the diet will also need to 
be restricted. In most cases it is not until 
the second or third year that any per- 
manent improvement can be looked for, 
and then suddenly the active principle of 
the disease seems to have exhausted itself, 
and the skin suddenly clears and gets well. 
A return of the disease with its irritation 
and rawness may never occur. 

The home treatment of such cases is as 
follows: the child will scratch and tear at 
the itching skin with his fingers until he is 
raw and bleeding; if his hands are tied he 
will rub against the pillows, chairs, or any- 
thing convenient. This irritation of the 
affected parts must be avoided in every 
possible manner. To prevent scratching 
with the hands a very practical plan is to 
bind on a light splint at the elbow so it 
cannot bend. A man's stiff cuff answers 
the purpose very well. If this is done the 
child cannot bend the arms at the elbow, 



COMMON SKIN DISEASES 7 

consequently he cannot reach his face or 
parts of his body above the waist with his 
hands, while at the same time he is not 
deprived of the use of arms and hands, as 
he can use them in many ways for his 
own amusements. 

As the face is usually the chief part 
affected, the child must be watched care- 
fully and kept from rubbing it against 
corners of furniture or different objects he 
comes in contact with, especially the pil- 
lows and bedclothes and sides of the crib 
at night. The best way to prevent this is 
to apply a mask made of heavy unbleached 
muslin. This keeps the surface of the 
skin well covered and protects it when the 
child rubs against objects ; and it also, in a 
measure, excludes the air, which is quite 
important. It also keeps in place a healing 
or soothing dressing. 

Where there is as much irritation as this 
water should rarely touch the affected 
spots; they should be cleaned with olive- 
oil or sweet-almond oil. Where a heavy 
crust has formed these places should, once 
or twice a week, first be softened by an 
overnight application of oil or vaseline. 
2 



8 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

The best way to do this is to saturate a 
cloth with the oil or vaseline, put one or 
two thicknesses over the crusts, and over 
this put some thin oiled silk or heavy 
glazed brown paper. This causes the oil to 
be absorbed by the crusts and not by the 
bandages and bedding. In the morning 
wash the parts with a strong lather of water 
and pure soap — a good shaving-soap or 
tincture of green soap. The crusts will in 
this way become softened and are easily 
removed. After this you may again apply 
the healing ointment, lotion, or powder. 

The portions of the body not affected 
by the eruption should be bathed with 
bran-water, salt and water, or borax and 
water; soap should not be used at all. 

Simple, but often effectual, home treat- 
ment for eczema in this stage may be found 
in some of the following formulas. An 
ointment may be made as follows: oxide- 
of-zinc powder, one teaspoonful; corn- 
starch, one teaspoonful; clean vaseline, 
one tablespoonf ul. These ingredients should 
be mixed well together to form a smooth 
paste; an old and flexible table-knife and 
a plate will answer for the implements to 



COMMON SKIN DISEASES 9 

work with. Ointment should be spread 
generously on soft linen and applied to the 
affected spots. If applied to the face it 
should be kept in place by a mask; if on 
other parts of the body, by bandages. 
Simply to rub the ointment on will not 
answer; it must be applied as directed 
above. 

Another good means of relieving this 
form of eczema is by a lotion made up of 
ichthyol, one teaspoonful ; water, one-half 
pint. Sop this on with a piece of absorb- 
ent cotton or a bit of soft cloth, then before 
it dries dust on a powder made of one 
tablespoonful of corn -starch, one table- 
spoonful of talcum powder, and one-half 
teaspoonful of boric acid. Again another 
simple help is to rub well into these parts 
stearate-of-zinc powder. One must be 
sure, however, that this is of a superior 
quality, otherwise it does not do good 
work as a healing agent. Another oint- 
ment often used with good effect is : vaseline, 
one tablespoonful; sulphur, ten grains; 
and yet another remedy often efficacious is 
one heaping tablespoonful of oxide-of-zinc 
powder thoroughly mixed with three tea- 



io YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

spoonfuls of olive-oil. This is simple to 
make and in some cases works exceedingly 
well. 

The diet of the patient is something ot a 
factor in the home treatment of this 
disease. While eczema attacks thin chil- 
dren as well as fat, it is much more common 
in fat children. While suffering with this 
trouble they should have a modified diet. 
Fats should be avoided as much as possible. 
No cream or very rich milk should be given, 
and in the case of older children very 
little or no butter. Sweets and starchy 
foods must be given only in moderation. 
The system should be kept clear by the use 
of mild cathartics, such as milk of mag- 
nesia or citrate of magnesia, giving from 
one to three teaspoonfuls a day. It is 
best given in divided doses, a teaspoonful 
at a time, and to children less than a year 
old one-half teaspoonful at a time. It is 
often well, also, to give castor-oil in gen- 
erous doses twice a week, from one to four 
teaspoonfuls, according to the age of the 
child. 

Children with this diseased skin should 
not be allowed to go out in very cold or 



COMMON SKIN DISEASES n 

windy weather; care, too, should be taken 
that they are not allowed to get sunburned. 
Often when one thinks the disease under 
control and about healed exposure to the 
cold air or a sharp wind will undo the work 
of months. 

With another form of eczema the skin 
is very dry and scaling. This condition 
usually comes in patches, most commonly 
on the face; also in spots from the size of 
a half-dollar to that of the palm of the hand 
on the body. This form, like the one be- 
fore described, should be handled with care, 
although it is not as annoying or hard to 
cure. No soap should be used on the body, 
and the bran-bath is in order. One may 
be given every day, but if the water is 
found too irritating, three times a week will 
perhaps be better. Salt-baths, too, are 
very beneficial in such cases. 

Among the many things helpful for this 
form of eczema is a wash of one part 
glycerine to four parts rose-water; also 
the ichthyol wash or stearate of zinc al- 
ready mentioned. 

Any irritation of the skin by scratching or 
exposure to a sharp wind must be avoided. 



12 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

All children suffering from eczema should 
have plenty of water to drink, thus aiding 
the kidneys to act freely. In eczema, the 
skin being naturally more or less suscep- 
tible to any kind of irritation, woolen 
undergarments should not be worn next 
to the skin. Silk makes the most comfort- 
able undergarment under these conditions, 
but soft cotton or linen can be worn next 
to the skin, and a woolen shirt and ribbed 
band over that for warmth. Especial 
care should be taken of the diapers of 
eczema cases, and a mild soap should be 
used for washing them; repeated and 
careful rinsing must be done, with a little 
borax in the rinsing water. The child 
must be carefully washed, and not be 
allowed to wear a wet or soiled napkin 
a moment longer than necessary; he 
should be thoroughly dried and pow- 
dered before the dry diaper is put on. 

There is another form of eczema which 
occurs more frequently with fat children 
than with thin ones, and is caused by 
opposite surfaces of the body rubbing to- 
gether until they become raw. It occurs 
in the deep creases and folds of flesh, such 



COMMON SKIN DISEASES 13 

as the neck, under the arms, in the groin, 
and often, when the child is very fat, in 
the creases of the wrist. The skin on the 
opposite sides of the crease becomes moist 
through perspiration, and a constant ir- 
ritation causes chafing, and finally the 
flesh becomes raw. To prevent the trouble 
occurring the parts should be separated 
several times a day, dried if necessary, and 
a good talcum or stearate-of-zinc powder 
dusted in. Plain corn-starch is good when 
the other cannot be had. When, however, 
the irritation reaches the point of rawness, 
insert in the crease a piece of soft linen 
spread with the zinc, starch, and vaseline 
ointment mentioned. The linen keeps the 
parts separated so they cannot rub to- 
gether, and the ointment heals the sore- 
ness. This treatment works marvels in a 
short time. 

Another eczema is that which attacks 
the scalp only, in the form of a thick, oily 
scab often called "milk crust." This 
crust must be removed with some care. 
If roughly taken off with a fine comb, leav- 
ing a moist surface in its place, it will soon 
form again. The crust should be softened 



i 4 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

by covering the scalp thickly with sweet- 
oil or vaseline mixed with resorcin, five 
grains to one tablespoonful of the oil, or 
to one ounce of vaseline. Either of these 
should be applied thickly at night, and 
the scalp covered with a piece of soft 
linen and some protective, such as very 
thin oil-silk or rubber tissue. In the 
morning the scalp should be carefully 
washed with warm water and soap, and 
any part of the crust that has loosened 
should be gently removed. The skin be- 
neath the loose crust will generally be 
found to be healthy and clear, but do not 
force away any more of the crust than 
can be easily removed. Repeat the treat- 
ment each night and morning until the 
scalp is free and clean. After this about 
three times a week rub the scalp with a 
few drops of castor-oil. 

A skin trouble closely allied to eczema 
is prickly heat. This trouble occurs more 
often during the heated term, and, as with 
eczema, fat children are far more likely 
to suffer from it than thin ones. It gen- 
erally appears in a fine pimply rash on 
face, neck, and chest, but often covers 



COMMON SKIN DISEASES 15 

the entire trunk; it closely resembles scar- 
let fever, the chief difference being that 
the little pimples are more raised and more 
widely separated. With this eruption 
there is considerable heat and itching, 
which is extremely irritating and trying 
for the little one to bear. The means of 
soothing and relieving it are quite simple. 
If neglected the child will rub and scratch 
until a real eczema is started, for the dan- 
ger is that when the child scratches the 
flesh it may become infected from the 
finger-nails, which causes small boils to 
form. In fact, it is not at all uncommon 
after a heated spell, if a child has had 
prickly heat, to find the body dotted with 
small pustules. The remedy for this most 
aggravating trouble is cooling sponge- 
baths. The bath should be of lukewarm 
water at about ninety-six degrees, made 
soothing by the addition of either starch, 
soda bicarbonate, or vinegar. To a basin 
of water one should use a small bit of 
starch, just enough to make the water 
look slightly gray and milky, of bicarbo- 
nate of soda a teaspoonful, or of vinegar 
two teaspoonfuls. In giving the bath 



16 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

sponge the child freely all over the body 
with a soft wash -cloth wrung out not 
too dry; after the bath wring the cloth as 
dry as you can and go over the body 
again. Do not rub the body with a dry 
towel; the slight amount of moisture 
remaining on the body acts as a cooling 
agent, and when the bath contains starch 
or soda bicarbonate it leaves a little de- 
posit when the body dries, which has a 
soothing effect on the irritated skin. 

Children who are subject to prickly heat 
should not be burdened with heavy under- 
wear; this is the most common cause of 
the eruption. They should have a bran- 
bath in the morning without soap, and a 
good dusting-powder freely used; and at 
night a warm sponge-bath, as described 
above, before going to sleep, and more 
dusting-powder. 

The system should be kept clear by 
some mild saline solution in small doses, 
and if the eruption is very irritating or 
the child is fretful and feverish and cross 
a few drops of sweet spirits of niter in 
water may be given. 

Hives is another of the trying eruptions 



COMMON SKIN DISEASES 17 

of childhood. It appears on the face, 
arms, and legs, and, in fact, all over the 
body, in the form of raised pink patches 
varying from the size of a pea to that of 
a half-dollar, and in extreme cases the 
eruption is irregular in form and as large 
as the palm of the hand. In such cases 
where the eruption persists and does not 
yield to home treatment a doctor should 
be called. Indigestion is usually the 
cause of this eruption, and with children 
who are having a liberal diet this should 
be modified at once. Milk should be the 
only diet for a time, and sometimes it 
may be necessary to partly peptonize that. 
Milk of magnesia or citrate of magnesia 
should be given in doses of one teaspoon- 
ful every day. Cream-of-tartar water — 
a level teaspoonful of cream-of-tartar to 
a cup of water — given in doses of from one 
to two teaspoonfuls three or four times a 
day is also very good. For external treat- 
ment bathe the skin frequently with one of 
the following lotions : equal parts of witch- 
hazel and water; alcohol one part, water 
two parts; or the sponge -bath recom- 
mended for prickly heat. 



18 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

Ringworm, like the disease before men- 
tioned, is not very common, but when it 
does appear it needs immediate attention 
to prevent it from spreading. It is more 
frequently found in institutions and among 
children who attend public schools. It 
comes on the face, neck, and scalp. It is 
circular in form and dry and of a rusty 
color. It generally commences in a small 
ring, which grows outwardly, enlarging to 
the size of a nickel and sometimes much 
larger. When it comes on the face or 
neck paint the circle with tincture of iodine, 
being careful to cover both edges of the 
circle. Before using the iodine, wash the 
eruption with warm water and soap to 
soften it; use a soft piece of cloth for this 
purpose, and burn it after using. If the 
ringworm is on the scalp the hair is likely 
to come out on the infected spot. Cut 
the hair closely about the place and treat 
in the same way as on the face, A brush 
should never be used on the hair while 
the disease is active, as it may be carried 
to other children in the family; use only 
a comb, and see that no one else uses the 
same one. 



COMMON SKIN DISEASES 19 

Mosquito-bites are always annoying and 
often extremely painful; in fact, even 
dangerous, as a certain species infect one 
with malaria. In districts where mos- 
quitoes are common children should be 
most carefully sheltered from these little 
pests; windows, doors, and verandas 
should be screened, and when the baby 
goes out a netting should be arranged over 
the carriage. The odor of camphor is 
excellent to help keep the pests away, 
also equal parts of oil of sassafras and 
alcohol rubbed here and there on the skin 
will prevent them from biting, and often, 
while the odor is fresh, keep them away. 
For the bite itself, especially when the 
sting poisons and causes a hard, raised 
spot, an application of witch-hazel and 
water in equal parts is very good as well 
as soothing and cooling to the itching and 
burning spots. Common table-salt slightly 
moist placed on a fresh mosquito-bite will 
soon stop the itching. 

Flies are another common insect by which 
children are annoyed. They also are the 
means of carrying the germs of disease, 
and during the months when flies are nu- 



2o YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

merous the mother should exercise as much 
care as possible in shutting them out of 
the room where the baby is kept; also in 
protecting him from them while out-of- 
doors. If the mother will put her thoughts 
on this subject for but a few moments 
and consider the decayed, diseased, and 
unclean matter which flies infest, she would 
need no further arguments or facts to 
convince her that it is dangerous to allow 
them to alight on her infant, especially 
on the eyes, nose, and mouth. Older 
children will protect themselves more or 
less against this insect. 



II 

THE EYES AND EARS 

MANY ailments of childhood are so 
slight and so simple as to be easily 
treated by a mother without the care of a 
physician. If there are symptoms which 
are beyond the mother's understanding she 
should consult a physician even at the cost 
of considerable inconvenience; but if the 
trouble yields readily to the suggested 
remedies she is safe to act as her own 
doctor. 

There is no organ in the body more 
delicate and sensitive than the eye, and 
ignorance as to its proper care and pro- 
tection during infancy often leads to im- 
paired eyesight when the child is older. 
The child's eyes should at all times be 
protected from brilliant light or glare. The 
new-born infant through instinct will, in 



22 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

a measure, protect himself, for as he finds 
bright light painful he will naturally close 
the eyes when the bright rays shine into 
them. For the first few days or weeks 
the infant should be kept in a room where 
the light is subdued. The light admitted 
to the room may each day be made a 
trifle brighter than the day before, until 
the normal amount of sunlight can illumi- 
nate the room without injuring the eyes; 
for the first few months, however, one 
should be careful not to allow the baby to 
look directly toward the bright sunlight 
or trying white lights of any kind. While 
it is healthful to let the sun pour into the 
nursery from morning to night if possible, 
the coloring of the room should be such 
as not to reflect a glare. Light pinks, 
yellow, blue, cream, red, and white are 
all bad colors for the walls of the room 
where the baby stays, unless all bright 
lights are excluded, while almost all the 
shades of green, except the very light tints, 
are soothing and restful to the eye, so much 
so that sunlight shining brightly on walls 
so colored will not be trying even to the 
eyes of quite a young baby. Children 



THE EYES AND EARS 23 

should never be allowed to lie in their car- 
riages gazing up to the sky even on a day 
which is overcast; a parasol or canopy 
lined with a deep shade of green should 
always be used as a protector. When the 
child is older, and is out-of-doors and away 
from the protection of the shade-trees, 
he should always wear a shade-hat. Hats 
made of white straw or white pique, also 
white sunbonnets, are very attractive, 
and the color would make them seem most 
appropriate for little children, but there 
is no doubt that the white light shed 
through their broad, protecting rims ma- 
terially weakens the eyesight of many lit- 
tle children. 

The eyelids of children should be care- 
fully kept clean and free from crusty for- 
mations. To do this they must be care- 
fully washed once a day — twice or three 
times if necessary. There is always more 
or less exudation from an infant's eyes 
during the night, which by morning is apt 
to harden and form a gummy or hard 
substance on the lids. Many mothers 
and nurses (even particular ones) do not 
entirely wash this away, for fear of hurt- 
3 



24 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

ing the child. The act of cleaning the lids 
does not hurt the child nor harm it nearly 
so much as to allow even a small amount 
of discharge to accumulate and harden on 
the lids among the eyelashes. Every 
prudent mother will keep at hand a bottle 
of boric-acid solution made by adding a 
heaping teaspoonful of boric-acid powder 
to one pint of either distilled or boiled 
water. This will make a solution which 
will last an almost indefinite time, and will 
be found most useful as a wash for eyes, 
ears, mouth, little abrasions, cuts, etc. 
When giving a child his bath every morn- 
ing bathe the eyelids gently with warm 
water or warm boric-acid solution until 
every particle of secretion is removed, then 
open the eye with the thumb and fore- 
finger and drop from a small bit of absorb- 
ent cotton, clean linen, or a dropper one 
or two drops of the boric-acid solution into 
the eyes. If this is done once every day, 
under all ordinary circumstances the eyes 
will be kept clean. If there are crusts 
which are very hard and not easily re- 
moved, soften by rubbing the lids with a 
little clean vaseline. If, however, there 



THE EYES AND EARS 25 

should be any secretion, such as small 
quantities of pus forming during the day, 
wash the eye by dropping in the solution 
as often as a particle is seen, even if it 
is every hour. This condition frequently 
occurs when the child has a cold. 

The eyes are also often infected from 
particles of dust blown into them on 
windy days. For this reason, in cities, 
on days when the winds are high and 
street dust in minute particles is blowing 
about in the air, the child had better take 
his airing in the house or in the sun-parlor 
on the roof. Veils are not always practi- 
cable as a protection; while they may keep 
out coarse particles blown by the wind, 
a fine powder-like dust, which is often the 
most harmful, will sift through, and stays 
lodged underneath the veil, where it can- 
not get out easily. 

The ears are quite as important mem- 
bers to be cared for as the eyes, and 
when they stand out from the head they 
are anything but ornamental. From earli- 
est infancy be careful to see that the ears 
are always kept back in place. When the 
child is lying on his side be sure that the 



26 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

ear is lying flat against the head, not 
folded over toward the face. Be careful 
that the child lie on one side as much as 
the other. If he lies always on one side, 
the ear on the opposite side is apt to stand 
out a little more than the one on which he 
lies. Nurses when putting children's caps 
on are often careless in not seeing that 
the ears are pressed flat against the head. 
Time and again when a baby's cap has 
been removed have I seen the little ears 
red and creased by being bound forward 
by the snug cap; and if baby has thick 
hair or curls which are gathered in a little 
mass behind the ear, they too will prevent 
the ears from lying back close to the head, 
especially where there is the slightest 
tendency of the ears to stand out. The 
mother or nurse should be very careful of 
these little things, for if neglected until 
the child is a few months old it is not easy 
then to commence to remedy this defect. 
It must be looked after while the child is 
very young. 

An excellent pattern for an ear-cap is 
made by cutting out the crown of a muslin 
cap which is a size too small for the baby. 



THE EYES AND EARS 27 

Use the rim as a pattern; it may be neces- 
sary to add a little gore or two. Make the 
ear-cap of light taffeta silk, rather stout 
Brussels net, grass-linen, or some thin but 
firm material. 

Earache is much more common in in- 
fants than is generally supposed, and often 
the poor baby is accused of being cross 
or hungry, and has to endure being walked 
with or having forced into its stomach 
food which it does not need or want. 
This perhaps causes a new pain in addi- 
tion to his other troubles. With earache 
the cry is sharp, vigorous, and often con- 
tinuous. The sufferer will usually put his 
hands to the ears, older children will often 
push the finger into the ears, even very 
young infants who have not yet learned 
the use of their hands will in some way 
reach the ears or sides of the head. With 
infants earache usually follows a coryza, 
bronchitis, measles, or pneumonia; it is 
frequently accompanied by a rise in tem- 
perature. Ordinarily earache is relieved 
by the use of some hot application, and 
small rubber ear-bags come made ex- 
pressly for this purpose. These may be 



28 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

filled with hot water and applied. It is 
well to make a small flannel covering for 
the bag to prevent any possible danger of 
burning the ear or surrounding flesh which 
comes in contact with the rubber. A 
simple home method is to make a small 
bag of flannel or cotton and fill it with 
salt, hops, or even sand, if nothing better 
is at hand. Place the filled bag in the 
oven until it becomes well heated, then 
lay it close to the ear. This will have as 
good results as the ear-bag mentioned. 
If the earache is at night, and it is not 
easy to secure heat by the methods men- 
tioned, take a piece of flannel — the ab- 
dominal band if nothing else is handy — 
and heat it by holding it close to a lamp- 
chimney, or an electric bulb will answer 
the purpose if necessary. Apply this hot 
flannel to the aching ear. Syringing the 
ear several times a day with warm water 
one hundred degrees is also very good to 
relieve the pain. If the applications of 
heat, after repeated trials, do not help the 
pain, the other extreme — cold — will some- 
times have the desired effect. The cold can 
be obtained by filling the rubber ear-bag 



THE EYES AND EARS 29 

mentioned with ice-water, or a small flat 
bottle filled with ice- water will answer; 
in using either of these the water must be 
changed frequently in order to keep it 
cold. Instead of the cold water a small 
ice-poultice can be used. This is made in 
the following manner: Take a piece of ice 
which is about the size of a goose egg, 
place this in a piece of old cloth and crush 
by pounding with a hammer or some blunt 
instrument until the ice is quite fine; mix 
this well with a tablespoonful of flaxseed 
(bran may be used, but it is not quite so 
good), and fold this in a piece of soft cotton 
cloth, making a poultice about three or 
four inches square. Place this over the 
ear. The object of the flaxseed or bran is 
not for any curative quality, but both are 
more or less absorbent; then, too, mixing 
them with the crushed ice makes it less 
liable for the skin to become injured from 
the cold, which just possibly might happen 
if the plain ice were used. If a bit of 
rubber tissue or thin oiled silk is to be 
had, so much the better. Place the ice 
in this, then cover with the cotton cloth, 
and the water caused by the melt- 



30 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

ing ice will not wet the pillow or cloth- 
ing. 

A frequent sequence of earache is an 
abscess. The hot applications used will 
often cause the abscess to break and pus 
will be discharged through the ear; this 
is always a great relief from pain, and is 
usually not to be considered serious, but 
the ear should be syringed as long as there 
is any discharge. If the discharge is 
slight, twice a day will answer; but when 
it is profuse it is well to do it more often — 
three or four times a day. A soft-rubber 
bulb syringe is best. Use either warm 
boric-acid water or warm water plain to 
syringe with; afterward dry the ear care- 
fully with a piece of soft cloth or absorbent 
cotton. The habit of wearing a bit of 
cotton in the ear is a bad one; the ear is 
a sensitive organ, and the cotton keeps 
the ear warm, so that when it is removed 
more cold is apt to follow. An eczema or 
chafing about the ear frequently follows 
a discharge of this kind, partly due to the 
discharge and partly to not drying the 
skin about the ears carefully after syring- 
ing; a little stearate of zinc thoroughly 



THE EYES AND EARS 31 

rubbed into the skin around the ear, and 
especially behind it, will be invaluable as 
a preventive; but when the skin begins 
to show signs of irritation some of the zinc 
and starch salve, the recipe for which was 
given in the first chapter, will prove use- 
ful. 

Foreign bodies in the ear are in most 
instances hard to remove, and if the object 
is firmly wedged in it is better not to at- 
tempt to remove it, but to send for the 
doctor. If the object is small, gentle 
syringing with warm water will probably 
dislodge it. When the object can be plain- 
ly seen, but cannot be dislodged by syring- 
ing, dip a small stick like a match in some 
strong glue, just far enough to get the 
smallest drop on the extreme end, then 
insert this sticky end carefully in the ear 
and hold it against the object for a while 
until the glue hardens. When withdrawn 
it will usually bring the object with it if 
not too firmly lodged within. Flies and 
small insects will often get deep into the 
ear, causing much annoyance and con- 
siderable pain; these are best removed by 
syringing with warm water. Dropping oil 



32 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

in to float them out is a bad practice; ear 
specialists say the oil causes certain changes 
to take place in the wax which are injuri- 
ous to the drum of the ear, and deafness 
may follow. 

The nose is often grievously neglected. 
It is a small member which needs careful 
consideration. If slighted a whole train 
of evils in the way of ear and throat trouble 
follows. 

In the first place, the nostrils should be 
kept free. Ordinarily the nose of an in- 
fant needs attention but once a day, and 
that time is the morning; this cleaning 
process should be thoroughly but most 
carefully done, for the mucous membrane 
is sensitive and must be gently treated. 
The best way to cleanse the nose of a small 
infant or child is to wind a small piece 
of absorbent cotton tightly around the 
end of a wooden toothpick or match, then 
gently clean the nostrils. It is some- 
times necessary to dip this cotton in warm 
water or olive-oil to make the cleansing 
more thorough, and it should be thorough 
in order that the child may breathe freely 
through the nostrils. A child should never 



THE EYES AND EARS 33 

be allowed to breathe through the mouth. 
With many children this habit is formed 
in infancy, and whenever the mother sees 
the baby breathing with its mouth open, 
which often occurs in small infants, es- 
pecially when the child is asleep, she should 
close the mouth immediately and hold it 
shut for a few moments. If the nose is 
clogged so that the breathing is difficult, 
clean it right away. Adenoids, a spongy 
growth in the back of the throat obstruct- 
ing the nostrils, enlarged tonsils, and most 
of the catarrhal affections of the throat 
and nose are the result of mouth-breathing. 
Clogged nostrils also interfere seriously 
with an infant's taking his food properly. 
The nose should be just as carefully at- 
tended to each morning as any other part 
of the toilet. Syringing the nose is not a 
good thing to do under ordinary circum- 
stances ; syringing, if indiscriminately prac- 
tised, will later cause ear troubles and deaf- 
ness. 

The character of nasal discharges in 
children should be watched. There is a 
thin, watery discharge which is the result 
of rhinitis, or cold in the head. This is 



34 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

not serious, and will go away of itself in 
a few days, but the nostrils must be kept 
clear. Then there is the thick discharge 
of catarrh or chronic cold in the head; 
this is common in children who are kept 
in close rooms or sleep in nurseries which 
are kept too warm and not well ventilated 
at night. These children take cold easily 
from the slightest change of temperature 
in the house or when they go out, until 
the cold becomes almost a constant affair. 
Fresh air in plenty is the cure for this. 
Another kind of discharge, and one not 
to be overlooked, is thick and yellow, with 
a tinge of blood. A blood-tinged discharge 
that is not actually a nose-bleed should 
receive immediate attention and a doctor 
be consulted; this is a marked symptom 
of nasal diphtheria, and cannot afford to 
be neglected, for the child's sake as well 
as for those with whom the child comes in 
contact. 

With a very small amount of care the 
healthy infant's mouth can be kept in 
good condition. While the child is very 
young and secretes very little saliva, the 
mouth should be gently swabbed with cot- 



THE EYES AND EARS 35 

ton or soft linen dipped in boiled water or 
boric-acid solution, after every feeding. 
When the child is a little older and there 
is more saliva the mere act of swallowing 
this will keep the mouth clean, but twice 
a day, night and morning, the mouth 
should be washed with boric-acid solution 
or warm water. In washing the mouth 
be careful not to rub the tongue or any 
part of the mouth roughly. The best way 
to clean the mouth is to wrap the cotton or 
linen around the finger, dip it in the solu- 
tion you are to use, and then gently press 
on the tongue and around the sides of the 
mouth. The child will naturally suck the 
moist swab, and this act is sufficient to 
thoroughly cleanse the mouth. 

Thrush, or sprue, is a fairly common 
disease in infants. It has various causes, 
the most common being slight indigestion, 
or particles of milk that have not been 
swallowed, but remain in the mouth, caus- 
ing fermentation. Sprue is easily cured 
by washing the mouth with either boiled 
water or carbonate of soda and water, an 
even teaspoonful in a cup of clean water. 
Keep this solution covered and wash the 



36 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

mouth at intervals, varying from every 
fifteen minutes to once in two or three 
hours, as the severity of the case demands. 
If there are only a few patches in the 
mouth a boric-acid mouth-wash two or 
three times a day will probably be all 
that is necessary. Do not use honey 
and borax, which is so commonly advised; 
there is nothing worse — the disease thrives 
and spreads rapidly under this treat- 
ment. 

In older children small ulcers are some- 
times found in the mouth, on the tongue, 
roof of the mouth, and gums. Indigestion 
is the first cause. The trouble commences 
with one or two ulcers or canker sores in 
the mouth; this hurts the child when he 
sucks or swallows, and he naturally saves 
himself as much pain as possible; the con- 
sequence is a portion of the food remains 
in the mouth, saliva accumulates, and 
fermentation takes place, making the 
mouth still more sore. The ulcers increase 
in size and number; the gums grow red 
and tender about the teeth where the 
particles of food lodge; the child drools 
considerably, and the gums bleed easily. 



THE EYES AND EARS 37 

This is called stomatitis. Foods rich in 
fats and sugar should not be given when 
this condition prevails. The mouth should 
be syringed twice a day with a mouth- wash 
of warm boric-acid solution. The best way 
to do this is to have one person hold the 
child in the lap, bending the head slightly 
forward. Use a hard-rubber syringe hold- 
ing about one ounce; after filling the 
syringe with the solution place the nozzle 
in one corner of the child's mouth and 
gently force in the mouth- wash; this will 
flow in one corner of the mouth and come 
out the other side, cleansing it and remov- 
ing decaying particles of food and accu- 
mulated saliva and mucus. Other good 
mouth -washes can be made from water 
and soda bicarbonate, in the same propor- 
tions as advised^or sprue; borax and water, 
a bit of borax the size of a pea to a cupful of 
water; one teaspoonful of milk of magnesia 
to one-half cup of water; or any of the 
antiseptic mouth-washes usually found in 
first-class chemist shops, used in the pro- 
portion of one of the wash to three of 
water. The ulcers themselves should be 
touched with burnt alum, or burnt alum 



38 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

and bismuth in equal parts. Make a 
little swab of absorbent cotton and a 
wooden toothpick, dip it in the powder, 
and press it on the sore spot occasionally. 



Ill 

THE HEAD AND THROAT 

A MONG the simple ailments of children 
i\ the minor troubles with the mouth, 
throat, and scalp may often be treated by 
the mother without the help of a physician, 
but to know when the case is sufficiently 
serious to require the doctor's advice is 
most important. 

A child's teeth should receive attention 
as soon as they are through. While the 
child has only liquid food the ordinary 
mouth-washing will answer, but as soon 
as he begins to take solid food of any kind 
there will be trouble if care is not exer- 
cised. The softest of tooth-brushes should 
be used on the teeth, and one that is very 
narrow. Clean the little teeth carefully 
twice each day, brushing up and down as 

well as across the teeth. When there are 
4 



4 o YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

double teeth be careful to have the child 
open his mouth far enough to brush across 
the crown, as there are many little crevices 
here in which the food may hide. See that 
every particle of food is dislodged, especial- 
ly the foods that form a pasty mass in the 
mouth, such as crackers, cereals, etc., for 
it is the tiny portions of this kind of food 
which lodge in and between the teeth, 
causing decay. It is not necessary to use 
tooth-washes, powders, or pastes to clean 
the teeth of children; water will suffice. 
Never use extremely cold or hot water. 
Decay commences from the outside of the 
tooth, not inside, and good sound teeth 
depend largely on the every-day care of 
the mouth. 

Looking into a child's throat is a practice 
which should not be overlooked or slighted. 
Commence when the child is an infant, 
and do it once a week. This will answer 
while the child is very little, but as the 
child grows older this should be done twice 
a week, especially when a contagious disease 
like diphtheria is prevalent. Also be sure 
never to neglect this precaution when the 
child appears ill with no apparent cause. 



THE HEAD AND THROAT 41 

If this examination of the throat is made 
regularly, as a part of the daily or weekly 
routine, the child becomes accustomed to 
it as he does to having the face washed, 
and will not mind in the slightest opening 
his mouth and having a spoon put in. 
An early discovery of tonsilitis or diph- 
theria is frequently the means of saving 
not only one life, but more if there are 
other children in the family. It is also 
very instructive to mother and nurse. 
They become so well acquainted with the 
normal throat that the slightest inflamma- 
tion or exudate is easily detected. Chil- 
dren suffer from several kinds of sore 
throat. There is a red and congested 
throat that usually accompanies an attack 
of indigestion. Then there is the red 
throat that has a glistening appearance 
caused by thin layers of mucus covering 
it. This is usually a simple tonsilitis caused 
by a catarrhal condition. There is also 
the inflamed throat, sometimes swollen, 
where the tonsils are dotted here and there 
with small white spots, or follicles; this 
is called follicular tonsilitis, and is a 
very uncomfortable condition, the pa- 



42 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

tient often suffering more than with 
diphtheria. 

Another and more serious throat is 
where diphtheritic conditions prevail. This 
is indicated by a red throat, considerably- 
swollen, which bleeds easily when swabbed. 
In diphtheria there is usually what is called 
a membrane which takes two forms — one 
a faint grayish streak resembling a thread 
of cobweb across the tonsil, and does not 
rub off when swabbed; or another form 
where there is a yellow thick-looking patch 
on tonsil or uvula. The tissue directly 
about the spot is usually of a purplish 
color, and the throat bleeds very easily 
if touched. There is, too, almost always 
a bloody nasal discharge. All of the anti- 
septic mouth-washes mentioned in previ- 
ous chapters are good for the sore throats 
mentioned, and a swabbing of tincture of 
iron — one part iron to two parts glycerine 
— is also good. But in most cases where 
these symptoms occur I would advise con- 
sulting a doctor and letting him decide on 
the treatment. 

The hair and scalp require but moderate 
attention to be kept in good condition. 



THE HEAD AND THROAT 43 

The head should not be washed too fre- 
quently with soap, as it has a tendency 
to keep the scalp dry, and also makes the 
hair dry and brittle. Nature provides 
through the hair follicles a lubricating oil 
which keeps the hair soft and glossy. The 
scalp should be kept clean by the use of a 
soft brush. It is not well to treat the scalp 
harshly, as it keeps the delicate skin in 
a constant state of irritation; dandruff 
and eczema of the scalp are sure to follow. 
The hair-brush should be kept abso- 
lutely clean. A young child who has not 
much hair and whose head is always care- 
fully covered with a cap when out-of-doors, 
cannot accumulate much dust or dirt in 
the hair, and once a week may be enough 
to wash the brush. With older children, 
especially those who have long hair, the 
brush should be washed with ammonia 
and cold water and thoroughly rinsed 
three or four times a week and then placed 
in the sun to dry. If the child's scalp 
is very dry and scaly, the hair dry and 
scanty, breaking off so easily that it never 
grows very long, it is best not to use soap 
and water on the scalp at all, or only at 



44 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

long intervals. Massage the scalp every 
other day with the finger-tips, using a 
little castor-oil on them as a lubricant. 
Castor-oil, or castor-oil and witch-hazel 
in equal parts, used on the scalp, and 
in such moderate quantities as not to 
make the hair oily, is an excellent lubri- 
cant, and will strengthen the roots of the 
hair. After the massage brush the scalp 
and hair with the soft brush ; if the scalp is 
dirty use occasionally witch-hazel and rose- 
water in equal parts to cleanse it. Pour 
a small quantity of this lotion in a saucer 
and apply it to the scalp with a small bit 
of absorbent cotton. Separate the hair in 
places and rub on this lotion. This is for 
cleanliness and comfort, especially in hot 
weather, and helps to keep the scalp in 
good condition. It will also make the 
hair more luxuriant in later years. I con- 
sider it wise to keep little girls with short 
hair until they are eight or ten years old, 
and in hot weather to let the child go 
without hat or cap except when in the di- 
rect sunlight. 

As to the child's weight, even though 
the gain be slow, every baby after the first 



THE HEAD AND THROAT 45 

week or ten days should show an increase. 
Many of the causes of loss of weight or 
lack of increase are due to the very simple 
things. I know of one case where the 
child had gained steadily for the first three 
months of life, then there was a change of 
nurses, and, although the food was made 
after the same formula, feeding intervals 
and quantity being unchanged, the baby 
lost steadily. The first nurse then came 
back, and there was a marked improve- 
ment in the child. After rigid investiga- 
tion it was found that nurse number two 
was not particular with the bottles and 
nipples, sometimes letting the bottles 
stand overnight without proper rinsing, 
and that the solution in which the nipples 
were kept was not changed every day. 
The nipples themselves were probably not 
well cleaned after use. And while the food 
was given at the regular hours, the child 
was allowed to play with the bottle, to 
fall asleep while taking the food, and the 
bottle would stay with the baby anywhere 
from one-half hour to an hour at a time. 
This one case alone illustrates what care- 
less administration of food will do tow- 



46 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

ard allowing a baby's health to become 
impaired, although the food in itself was 
all that was to be desired. 

If the baby is bottle-fed one cannot be 
too careful about all the little details con- 
cerning the child's food; everything con- 
nected with the preparation of the food 
must be kept scrupulously clean ; and there 
is also much dependent on the methods of 
giving it. It is best to hold the child in 
a semi-upright position while taking the 
food. If, however, it is at times more 
convenient to have the food given while 
the baby is lying down, always have him 
lying on his left side, and, if possible, hold 
the bottle for him; if not, support it on 
a small pillow or cushion, so that food stays 
at the nipple end of the bottle. If the 
bottle lies flat the baby is sure to suck in 
as much air as food. It is not safe to let 
the baby lie on his back and take his food, 
even if some one is standing over him and 
holding the bottle. The hole in the nipple 
may be large and the milk thus may run 
out too fast, or the baby in his hunger and 
eagerness may take it too fast. He chokes, 
and a portion gets into the air-passages, 



THE HEAD AND THROAT 47 

and from there into the lungs, causing 
what is sometimes called a "food pneu- 
monia." The fluid causes an irritation; 
the child is not strong enough to expel 
it by coughing. 

Then again, it often happens that a very- 
young baby does not take his food well, 
and after a time the attempt to make him 
take it is given up, the supposition being 
that he does not want it, and that under 
these circumstances it would be better not 
to force it. Don't take anything for 
granted with a baby, but take every meas- 
ure to find the cause why the baby does 
not get his food. Examine the mouth for 
small ulcers, especially the one which 
comes under the tongue and often seri- 
ously interferes with the infant's feeding; 
look at the nipple to see that the hole is 
all right. If the hole is cut or split — in 
fact, if the hole is not perfectly smooth and 
round — as soon as suction is applied the 
cut or rough edges will close tightly to- 
gether, and it is impossible for the milk 
to get through. Turn the nipple wrong 
side out and examine it. Often a small 
thread of the cotton with which the 



48 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

nursing-bottle is plugged gets drawn into 
the end of the nipple, or if the food is made 
with a gruel a thick particle may clog the 
hole. Again, some infants do not seem 
to know how to draw from the nipple, but 
will roll it around the mouth. This will 
often happen if the baby's mouth is small 
and the nipple is a large one. In such 
cases the child must be taught to suck. 
This is easily accomplished with a little 
patience. The method is to press the 
lower jaw upward with your finger, re- 
laxing, and then pressing again, imitating 
the sucking action until the child, feeling 
the warm food in his mouth, swallows, 
and soon learns to act for himself. All 
these little things will effect the child's 
weight. 

Many children will regurgitate or throw 
off their food soon after it has been taken ; 
in this case the child should be carefully 
put on the bed and left there for from 
one-half hour to one hour after each feed- 
ing. This often happens in children who 
do not nurse vigorously ; some of the food 
does not reach the stomach, but remains 
in the esophagus, and when the child is 



THE HEAD AND THROAT 49 

moved comes back. In fact, all infants, 
vigorous or otherwise, should be kept 
quiet for a while after each feeding. An- 
other cause of vomiting in infants (and if 
the child does not retain his food he 
naturally will not gain rapidly) is the habit 
of putting the fingers, sometimes the whole 
hand, into the mouth. This habit is 
formed usually when the child is teething, 
as biting on the fingers seems to relieve 
the gums; the child, finding relief, crams 
the little fingers as far into the mouth as 
they will go. If this is done soon after a 
meal it naturally causes the child to gag, 
and so the food will come up. This is a 
habit entirely apart from thumb-sucking, 
and should not be encouraged, especially 
after food is taken; the hands should be 
tied down for a half -hour or so if neces- 
sary. 

Pacifiers or blind nipples also interfere 
more or less with a young baby's digestion. 
Many babies who are given a pacifier in 
early infancy are perfectly content to 
suck one of these things most of the day, 
caring little whether food is given or not. 
This excites the secretion of saliva to an 



5 o YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

unhealthy degree, and often causes colic. 
Very tight bands will cause the baby to 
throw off his food. The band should be 
snug enough to keep in place without 
wrinkles, but never tight. The bottles in 
which the food is kept for an artificially 
fed infant should be carefully rinsed with 
clear water as soon as the child has taken 
his food, and then should be left standing 
filled with cold water with a pinch of borax 
put into it. Once a day they should be 
washed carefully with boiling water and 
soap -powder, then thoroughly rinsed. 
The nipple should be carefully washed 
inside and out, first with cold and then hot 
water, and kept in a covered glass filled 
with borax and water, soda bicarbonate 
and water, or boric-acid solution. 



IV 

HOME TREATMENT WITHOUT MEDICINE 

A CHILD should never be forced to sit 
up at too early an age. Many chil- 
dren at two months will sit up with very 
little assistance, but it is not well to allow 
it. In fact, many children at six months 
or even older ought not to be allowed to do 
it unless some support is given to the back. 
While there are many children who sit 
firmly at this age, there are as many more 
who, after they have been in an upright 
position for a while, gradually bend over 
toward the front, the head hanging for- 
ward. In this position they will perhaps 
stay for a long time. This ought not to 
be allowed. The reason for this bending 
forward is that the muscular tissues of the 
back are not strong enough to support the 
spine for any length of time; the child be- 



52 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

comes tired and leans forward, as it were, on 
the abdomen. This position is not good; if 
it be allowed day after day the spine be- 
comes slightly curved, and often there re- 
sults a very decided curvature which is 
hard to overcome. While it is not well 
for a child to remain in a recumbent posi- 
tion all of the time, he should be led grad- 
ually to sit up with a pillow or an arm for 
support. When the mother is a busy one, 
and has to be nurse as well as attend to 
numerous household duties, an ordinary 
clothes-basket will be found most helpful 
to her. The sides can be neatly dressed 
with a simple white muslin valance, and a 
soft pad or folded blanket covered with a 
small sheet may be placed in the bottom 
of the basket, with a soft, small pillow 
for the back. In this the child can lie 
flat with an afghan or small blanket for 
covering, and take his naps, or with the 
pillow for support he can lie in a semi- 
upright position, and as he grows older 
will grasp the sides of the basket and sit 
upright until he is tired, and then will lie 
back on his pillow again ; as he begins to sit 
up some one should occasionally take a 



HOME TREATMENT 53 

look at him and, if he falls or leans forward, 
gently put him back on his pillow. This 
arrangement is far better than bolstering 
the baby up on a large bed where he rolls 
about, with danger of eventually falling 
off on the floor, or laying him in the crib, 
with the chances of rolling and striking 
against the hard sides. 

Children usually begin to stand on their 
feet about the tenth month, and with as- 
sistance take a step or two. By the 
twelfth month they learn to take a few 
steps alone, and two months later run 
about. This, however, depends a great 
deal on the child's strength, which in turn 
is gaged by the nutrition; children nour- 
ished by patent foods are usually far be- 
hind the healthy breast-fed infant. It is 
the muscular, not the fat children, who 
are the most forward in this respect. 
Do not urge the child to stand on his feet, 
nor encourage walking too soon; let the 
child follow his own impulse. The ma- 
jority of children are ambitious in this re- 
spect, and just as soon as they feel the 
muscles and bones strong enough to bear 
their weight they will surely make the 



54 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

effort. If urged while the bones are soft 
bowed legs are the result. Children who 
are slow to walk are generally late in 
teething, too. Ordinarily the healthy, 
breast-fed infant will commence to cut 
his teeth at six months, and in some cases 
a trifle earlier; children brought up on 
patent foods are often as late as the twelfth 
or fourteenth month. The reason for this 
difference is that some of these foods do 
not nourish the bones, or, in other words, 
do not contain the bone-making elements 
to such a degree as does the mother's 
milk. 

Teething infants are usually more or less 
disturbed during the teething period, and 
the following suggestions should help the 
child and save the mother some care and 
anxiety. If the child is restless and fever- 
ish when cutting teeth, always reduce the 
food a little. It is better to reduce the 
strength rather than to cut down the 
quantity. Children usually drool con- 
siderably and are thirsty at these periods, 
and water should be given freely between 
meals. If the child drools enough to keep 
bib and dress wet, line the bib with rubber 



HOME TREATMENT 55 

tissue or a prepared white cotton cloth, 
which is water-proof, and can be procured 
at most drug stores where surgical supplies 
are kept. This is important in order to 
prevent colds, especially in winter. Do 
not give the infant hard things to bite on; 
constant biting and chewing on a hard, 
non - resisting substance will cause the 
gums to harden and toughen, making it 
much harder for the teeth to force their 
way up to the surface. A soft-rubber ring 
or anything of that nature which has 
about the resistance of the fingers is much 
better. When the gums are swollen and 
red, and the teeth showing beneath the 
skin, the child worrying and fretting, it 
will afford much relief to the child if the 
teeth are helped to come through. Do 
this by taking the end of a clean towel or 
a bit of clean gauze and rubbing the gums 
until they bleed. If at the first rubbing 
the tooth does not show itself, the bleed- 
ing relieves the tension, and the child will 
be more comfortable. 

A nursery medicine-chest is to my mind 
an unsafe thing to possess. When medi- 
cine is at hand, and so easy to get at, there 



56 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

is a great temptation to give it. The habit 
of giving medicine or drugs without the 
advice of a physician is a bad one, and in 
many instances a dangerous one. Most 
drugs are more or less nauseating, especial- 
ly to an infant's stomach; they seriously 
upset the digestion, and as the child is 
nourished and gains strength through the 
ability of the stomach to digest food, if 
this organ is crippled and rendered unfit 
to perform its function you are likely to 
lose the child. Why not try simple rem- 
edies for the little ailments of children, and 
let drugs which might prove dangerous 
alone? For instance, if the baby has a 
cough and there is a wheezing in his chest, 
do not neglect it. Act at once; not, how- 
ever, by giving medicines (most cough 
medicines contain nauseating ingredients), 
but by a simpler and more efficacious treat- 
ment. If there is a constant dry, hacking 
cough, it is usually by inflammation of the 
mucous membrane of the throat, this irri- 
tation often extending to the lungs. In 
such cases nothing gives relief so quickly 
and surely as inhaling steam. This may 
be administered in several ways — first, 



HOME TREATMENT 57 

the child can be held at a short distance 
from the steaming spout of a tea-kettle 
for ten or fifteen minutes, but not near 
enough to scald the child. Let him breathe 
in fully the warm steam; this is a very 
simple method, but most effectual. 

Another way to use steam is by means 
of a croup-kettle. Start the kettle boiling, 
and place the child in a crib covered with 
a sheet, and let the spout of the kettle 
come through near the foot, of the bed; 
the sheet forms roof and sides of a little 
steam-chamber, and the child can lie in 
this from fifteen minutes to half an hour, 
longer if necessary. Another method is 
to partly fill a tall pitcher with boiling 
water, and holding the child with mouth 
and nose over the opening, let it inhale 
the steam, covering the head with a towel 
so no steam can escape. If there is a 
wheezing when the child breathes, try a 
mustard paste made of one teaspoonful of 
mustard and five teaspoonfuls of flour. 
Make it with cold water, and spread it on 
a thin piece of cloth or cheese-cloth; put 
this on the child's chest high up, and keep 
it there about ten minutes ; watch it, how- 



58 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

ever, and when the chest becomes well 
reddened take it off even if it has been on 
a much shorter time than the ten minutes. 
The skin of some children is much more 
tender than that of others, and will redden 
in five minutes, while others can stand it 
for twenty minutes before any effects are 
felt. Do not run any risk; sit by the 
child and peep at the chest every few mo- 
ments to see that it is all right. It is not 
a bad plan to rub some sweet-oil on the 
chest to prevent any possibility of blister- 
ing. When applying the paste cover it 
neatly with a square of cloth or towel to 
prevent its soiling the clothing, and on 
removing it gently dry the skin with a soft 
cloth. 

The action of the steam is to lubricate 
the air-passages leading to the lungs, also 
the air-cells of the lungs themselves, and 
thus relieve the irritation. The object of 
the mustard paste on the chest is to re- 
lieve the congested blood-vessels of the 
lungs, the heat of the mustard drawing the 
blood from the lungs toward the surface 
of the skin. Does not this sound more 
sensible than giving medicines which go 



HOME TREATMENT 59 

into the stomach, not the lungs? Castor- 
oil should be the only contents of the home 
medicine-chest; in fact, it should be the 
entire medicine-chest, and even castor-oil 
must not be given indiscriminately. A 
teaspoonf ul at the commencement of a cold 
is often helpful in carrying off the mucus. 

For a cold in the head there is really 
little to do; it is best to keep the child 
away from draughts and let it run its 
course, which is usually about a week. 
There are drugs that can be given that will 
dry the mucous membrane, thus making 
the secretions less; there are also some 
containing opiates which quiet. But, as 
the relief is only temporary and both are 
bad for the stomach, they would better 
be left alone. For croup, again the steam 
remedy is good. Here vomiting often 
causes relief, but vomiting can be induced 
by running the fingers down the throat or 
by giving a little warm water and mustard. 
Sponges and cloths wrung out of hot water 
and applied to the throat are very helpful 
in croup. 

Next, supposing the child has a sudden 
attack of dysentery, why hasten to give 



6o YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

medicine? There is cause for it; find out 
the cause and stop that if possible. It is 
invariably some food taken into the stom- 
ach which has caused all the disturbance. 
First remove the disturbing element by a 
good, large dose of our only nursery medi- 
cine, castor-oil. Next stop the usual food 
and give broth or gruel. Medicines that 
are binding, if given at the outset of the 
trouble, only aggravate instead of reliev- 
ing. The treatment advised, if given in 
the early stages of the disease, will in most 
instances avert a more serious illness. 

Supposing it is the stomach that is at 
fault, the baby has indigestion, does not 
retain his food, etc. What help are drugs 
in that case? Absolutely none, unless 
again the cause, which is probably the 
food, is removed. If the child cannot di- 
gest the food, then alter or adapt it until 
it suits the digestion of the child. Do not 
injure the stomach and make it still weaker 
by giving medicine. Sometimes it is not 
food that is the cause of indigestion. Good 
circulation is an important element. The 
hands and feet should always be kept 
warm; children with these members cold 



HOME TREATMENT 61 

have improper circulation, which causes 
feeble digestion and also colic. What to do 
for colic? Again no drug; hot water by 
mouth, warmth to hands and feet, warmth 
to abdomen. When the child is restless, 
fretful, or crying, again the mother will won- 
der which medicine in the medicine-chest 
will be most likely to help it, and from a 
tempting variety some one is sure to be 
selected as the one that will perhaps give 
relief, and again I advise, leave the medi- 
cine alone. Do not give it unless you know 
what you are giving it for. If you can 
find no special cause and it is near bed- 
time, undress the baby, bathe him with 
warm water (a tub-bath is not necessary), 
put on loose night-clothing, and, with a 
hot-water bag in the foot of the bed, tuck 
him in and leave him and see if he will not 
soon fall into a quiet, peaceful sleep. For 
restless children, especially in hot weather, 
a warm sponge-bath on going to bed, or 
even during the night, will act better than 
any soothing syrup or medicine. Try it. 



V 

COLIC AND ATTENDANT ILLS 

COLIC is a very common trouble with 
infants under six months of age, and 
especially during the first three months. 
The most frequent cause of colic is indiges- 
tion. Breast-fed as well as bottle-fed in- 
fants suffer from this painful trouble. In 
the case of the first mentioned it does not 
occur so often, and when it does it is 
usually because the mother does not choose 
her food carefully. If she will be moderate 
and confine her diet to simple, nourishing 
food, drink plenty of liquid, and keep her 
bowels in good order, the chances are that 
the baby will not suffer from excess of 
gas, which is the cause of colic. 

If the baby is bottle-fed the cause of the 
disturbance is probably that the food is not 
properly modified or adapted to the child's 



COLIC AND ATTENDANT ILLS 63 

digestion. Too much sugar in the food is 
one cause, and patent foods, composed 
chiefly of some form of sugar, or those 
made from starchy products, are liable 
to cause colic. Sugar and starch, the 
latter of which is converted into sugar in 
the stomach, cause fermentation of the 
food in the intestines; from this gases 
arise, distending the stomach, which neces- 
sarily causes discomfort and in some cases 
a great deal of pain. Inability to digest 
the casein, or curd, of cow's milk is another 
cause of colic, and too much fat or cream 
another. 

The signs of colic are a sharp, hard cry 
causing the face to become red, sometimes 
almost blue, according to the severity of 
the pain. During these paroxysms the 
child refuses to be comforted. The ab- 
domen is distended and tense, the little 
legs are drawn up against the abdomen, 
and the child is only relieved by getting 
rid of the gases formed. Hot liquids 
taken into the stomach or administered by 
intestinal injection are usually very effect- 
ual. Do not give gin, brandy, or any 
stimulant containing alcohol; teas from 



64 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

herbs; injections containing medication — 
all these I do not advise the mother to give 
without a physician's advice. Pure hot 
water can, however, be safely given, and 
usually with good effect, soon causing re- 
lief at any rate. First try what can be 
done by giving the child hot water through 
the mouth; several teaspoonfuls of very 
hot water given by a dropper will almost 
surely bring up quantities of wind, and 
the child will fall asleep from the relief it 
affords. Picking the child up and placing 
him over your shoulder or laying him across 
the lap on his stomach, and gently patting 
the back in conjunction with the hot water 
given, will usually relieve the pain, and 
no further treatment is necessary; but 
should this not work, rectal injections of 
hot water at a temperature of from one 
hundred and five to one hundred and ten 
degrees may be given. To do this, gently 
insert a rectal catheter and then pour 
the water into a funnel attached to the 
other end of the tube, gently massaging 
the abdomen with the finger-tips from time 
to time. When from one to six ounces 
have been injected remove the funnel from 



COLIC AND ATTENDANT ILLS 65 

the tube and allow the water to run out 
through the tube. For slight attacks of 
colic the placing of a well-heated flannel, 
or a hot-water bag, across the abdomen 
will prove very satisfactory, but do not 
fill the hot-water bag too full, as the bag 
should not be heavy and should also lie 
flat on the abdomen. Lastly, remember 
that by keeping the baby's feet and hands 
warm the digestion, through good circu- 
lation, is very materially assisted, and 
under these circumstances colic is much 
less likely to occur. 

These attacks of crying which are caused 
by colic are likely to cause rupture or 
hernia in infants under three months old; 
after this age the danger is much less. The 
most common rupture is that of the um- 
bilicus, or navel. The other kind of rup- 
ture is an inguinal one, which is more com- 
mon with boys than with girls. Umbilical 
hernia is less likely to occur with fat chil- 
dren than with thin ones. 

The treatment of umbilical hernia is in 
most cases very simple, and any mother 
ought to be able to attend to it herself 
if it is noticed and taken care of in time. 



66 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

As soon as any protrusion of the navel is 
noticed let the mother replace it by placing 
her forefinger over the tumor, pressing it 
back gently and holding it in place with 
the finger; then with the thumb and mid- 
dle finger draw the soft flesh of the abdo- 
men toward the navel until a portion of 
flesh on either side of the hernia folds over, 
meeting in the middle over the tumor. 
This forms a natural pad to keep the her- 
nia in place. While thus holding it take 
a strip of rubber adhesive plaster, from one 
to one and a half inches wide, and, fasten- 
ing it well around at one side of the body 
(in fact, an inch or two from the spine), 
draw it tightly around the body over the 
hernia to the other side. Fasten it at 
about the same distance from the spine. 
This strip must be drawn tightly to prove 
effectual; it can be left on several days, 
even a week, provided the plaster does not 
irritate the skin too much. If it proves irri- 
tating take it off and put on fresh plaster. 

Constant treatment such as this will 
often cure the rupture in from two to 
four weeks. The adhesive plaster has an 
advantage over a bandage in the fact that 



COLIC AND ATTENDANT ILLS 67 

it does not slip out of place. Always be- 
fore applying the plaster or bandage bathe 
that part of the body with warm water 
and castile soap, then rub with fifty- 
per-cent. alcohol in order to toughen the 
skin and make it less sensitive; if, how- 
ever, the band still chafes and irritates 
(and it is more apt to do so in warm 
weather than in cold) use this method: 
Cover a good-sized wooden button-mold 
with Canton flannel; at either side attach, 
by sewing, a piece of rubber webbing or 
elastic one inch wide, and long enough to 
be drawn tightly around the body and 
fasten in the back; the skin under the 
band can be kept freely powdered to pre- 
vent chafing, and in the back, where the 
elastic fastens, place two or three folds of 
soft linen or absorbent cotton to prevent the 
flesh frombeing creased, bruised, or irritated. 
A hernia in the groin is much harder to 
manage, but, as it is almost impossible to 
fit so small a child with a truss which will 
keep in place (a stiff truss is also very un- 
comfortable for an infant), the mother can 
make the child feel easier and, if the rup- 
ture is a slight one, effect a cure by im- 



68 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

provising a truss made of yarn. This is 
done as follows: Take a few long strands 
of white yarn, cotton or wool, make a 
rope about the size of your finger, double 
this in the middle so as to form a loop, then 
reduce or put back the hernia by gentle 
manipulation of the finger-tips. When it 
is reduced hold it and make a pad about 
one inch square by folding several thick- 
nesses of adhesive plaster in such a man- 
ner that on one side of the pad the sticky 
side of the plaster is exposed. Place this on 
the skin over the seat of the rupture ; then 
take your yarn, adjust it around the body 
so that the end of the loop is directly over 
the pad, draw the opposite ends of the yarn 
through the loop quite tightly, then sep- 
arate the two strands, and, bringing one 
down either side of the thigh, cross under 
the thigh and bring up around the body 
again, tying directly over the pad in a tight 
knot. This adds pressure to the pad, and 
the hernia is kept in place by the pad stick- 
ing there. It cannot slip. Replace the 
bandage whenever it becomes soiled enough 
to make it necessary. It is unsafe to discon- 
tinue this treatment under a year or more. 



VI 

HOME CURES FOR SCURVY 

IN the past few years, or since artificial 
or bottle feeding has become more 
general, scurvy has become a very com- 
mon disease among infants, and as it is 
easy to avoid and as the remedy is within 
easy reach of every mother, I think it may 
be safely classed among the simple ail- 
ments. This disease is confined almost en- 
tirely to infants under a year old, and to 
the uninitiated or inexperienced it is in- 
variably mistaken first for some spinal 
trouble, later for rheumatism. The symp- 
toms are first noticed when the child's legs 
are moved. When the legs are raised the 
child will cry, hence the supposition that 
there is something wrong with the back. 
But as the disease progresses it is noticed 
that the child cries every time it is moved 



7o YOUNCx MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

or touched, that there is tenderness about 
the joints, often accompanied by a slight 
discoloration of the flesh surrounding them ; 
then the rheumatic theory comes in. Now, 
as a matter of fact, rheumatism in children 
under a year and a half is an extremely rare 
disease. When a bottle-fed infant shows 
signs of pain when moved, if the joints are 
very tender, look in the mouth and you 
will also, in nine cases out of ten, find 
the gums of a purplish color and swollen. 
Under these conditions you may be al- 
most positive that the child has scor- 
butus or, as it is commonly called, infan- 
tile scurvy. There are very few cases on 
record of nursing babies having contracted 
this disease. It is caused usually by the 
injudicious preparation of cow's milk or 
the continued use of prepared foods which 
have been thoroughly cooked in the proc- 
ess of manufacture, and require only the 
addition of milk, water, or milk and water, 
to make them possible as a food ready to 
serve. By the injudicious preparation of 
cow's milk is meant constant sterilization 
or boiling. If the milk is treated in this 
way for months, and in some instances 



HOME CURES FOR SCURVY 71 

even for weeks, scurvy is very apt to be 
the result. 

The treatment of this ailment is most 
simple and effectual. No medicine is 
needed, simply a change to a diet which 
contains a natural food in its raw state. 
Milk, for instance, unsterilized, is a raw 
food, but it should be properly diluted. 
Orange juice or beef juice, from one-half 
to two ounces twice a day, is usually 
quite necessary to effect a cure, although 
in some mild cases change of food is often 
sufficient. With this simple treatment the 
improvement is marvelous and is frequent- 
ly seen after the first twenty-four hours, 
but a complete recovery usually takes from 
one to three weeks. 

I would caution the young mother, when- 
ever the child shows the slightest tender- 
ness and disinclination to move, to care- 
fully observe the symptoms described, 
and to try the remedies suggested before 
giving nauseating doses which may dis- 
arrange the stomach or even resorting to 
other methods of treatment. This advice 
is not given with any intention of fore- 
stalling the doctor. It is intended for the 

6 



72 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

use of many readers who may live in 
isolated country districts where the ser- 
vices of a doctor are not easily obtained. 
The young mother, not suspecting the 
character or the cause of the child's suf- 
fering, often allows this trouble to progress 
until serious conditions prevail, and some- 
times a life is sacrificed, but if corrected in 
time no harm is likely to occur from one 
of these attacks. The remedies suggested 
are within the scope of the mother, and 
simple enough to cause no harm if a mis- 
take in diagnosis is made. 

The value of warm baths and their effect 
upon nervous or fretful children, whether 
in sickness or health, cannot be over- 
estimated. Every infant, unless there is 
some good reason to the contrary, such 
as a skin affection or illness, should have 
two baths a day — one a tub-bath in the 
morning, the other a warm sponge-bath 
when put to bed. The morning bath is 
conducive to healthfulness and cleanliness, 
the sponge-bath at night is most useful on 
account of its quieting and soothing effect. 
Neither bath should be above or below 
ninety-eight degrees temperature; at this 



HOME CURES FOR SCURVY 73 

temperature there can be no danger from 
cold. The morning bath removes such 
deposits as have been excreted by the 
skin during the night, leaving the pores 
open and not, as many people suppose, 
making the child more sensitive to cold. 
It cleanses the millions of little pores, al- 
lowing them to exude certain oils which 
lubricate the skin and keep it soft and fine, 
at the same time throwing off refuse which 
accumulates in the circulation. 

As to the evening sponge -bath, the 
mother with a cross and fretful baby has 
only to try it to appreciate its value as a 
quieting and soothing agent. For this 
bath no soap nor extensive preparations, 
such as completely undressing the baby, 
are necessary. A basin of warm water (a 
very little alcohol may be used, but it is 
not essential) and a soft wash-cloth are all 
that are needed. Strip the baby down to 
shirt or band and diaper and bathe the 
face, neck, arms, and legs. Next unfasten 
the shirt and bathe the chest, then remove 
the diaper and with the damp wash-cloth 
go over the thighs, then gently dry the 
baby and put on his nightgown. Place 



74 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

the baby in his crib, give him his bottle, 
and nine times out of ten he cannot resist 
the soothing influence of bath and bottle 
combined, and will be in the quiet land of 
Nod before either he or the mother realizes it. 
The warm sponge-bath is even more 
effectual in sickness, especially when there 
is fever. Children suffering from any dis- 
ease where the temperature is high enough 
to cause restlessness, whether the disease 
is of the brain, lungs, or intestines, if there 
is not actual and intense pain, no matter 
how restless, will invariably quiet down 
and be much relieved if this bath be given. 
There is absolutely no danger from a bath 
of this kind, as it is given at the normal 
temperature of the body. If the tempera- 
ture of the child is subnormal, it warms and 
soothes the child; if the temperature is 
very high, it invariably lowers it without 
shock to the child, making the patient 
more comfortable in every way. A rest- 
less child at night can be quieted and put 
to sleep by this tepid bath; it will hardly 
take ten minutes to give it, and the tired 
mother can then have an uninterrupted 
night's rest. 



HOME CURES FOR SCURVY 75 

The second summer has always been 
considered a more or less critical period 
of an infant's life. With a moderate 
amount of observation and care on the 
part of the mother, there is no reason why 
this period should be the cause of any 
more anxiety than the first summer, for 
after the first year is past most of the diffi- 
culties of the early feeding period are or 
ought to be over. The most serious diffi- 
culty to be encountered in the second sum- 
mer is the danger of overfeeding in com- 
bination with teething, and if this serious 
mistake is avoided there is no reason why 
the child should not go through this por- 
tion of his life unscathed. The largest and 
most troublesome teeth are about to push 
their way through the gums ; this natural- 
ly causes some disturbance to the baby's 
sensitive system. There is in many cases 
slight fever off and on for a few days, and 
in view of these facts the child's diges- 
tion should be carefully watched; the 
diet should be modified. In the first 
place, when there is fever, no matter from 
what cause, reduce the quantity of food. 
If solid food has been given, it should be 



76 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

discontinued for at least twenty-four hours. 
The pain and discomfort of cutting teeth, 
especially during the heated term, are 
enough to cause fever, which will often 
run up to one hundred and three degrees 
and over. This naturally causes fretful- 
ness on the part of the child, also consider- 
able thirst. The child will eagerly put out 
its hands for liquids of any kind, and the 
mother naturally mistakes this for hunger, 
and instead of reducing the food, more is 
given, especially an extra bottle or drink 
of milk at night. Again, the little tooth 
will lie under the skin of the gum for days, 
struggling to get through, without any 
effort being made to assist nature. Watch 
the gums carefully, and when the new 
tooth can be seen or distinctly felt beneath 
the skin, take a clean piece of gauze or the 
end of a perfectly clean towel and rub the 
gums, with the finger-nails protected with 
the gauze or towel, until the gums bleed; 
the bleeding will greatly relieve the con- 
gestion of those parts if nothing more, but 
usually is the means of letting the little 
tooth through, greatly to the relief of the 
child, and causing reduction of the fever. 



HOME CURES FOR SCURVY 77 

By the time the last teeth are about to 
make their appearance the gums have be- 
come much toughened by constant biting, 
and naturally the teeth do not come 
through quite as easy as the earlier ones. 
Consequently, if the symptoms are care- 
fully watched, the gums relieved, or na- 
ture assisted when necessary, if the food 
is reduced when there is fever or even dis- 
comfort, the cause for alarm during the 
second summer is reduced to a minimum. 
As regards the reduction of the food, I 
would offer the following suggestions: If 
. the diet is milk, reduce the quality by 
diluting with boiled water or a dextrinized 
gruel; the quantity need not be changed. 
Or, if there is vomiting or diarrhea, give 
only a dextrinized gruel or clear broth 
without fat for twenty-four hours or more. 
If the child is having solid food even in 
small quantities, stop it for a short time 
until the fever goes and digestion is nor- 
mal, then commence gradually to increase 
the food to its regular strength. Do not 
be alarmed at any loss of weight at this 
time; it is but natural, and the child will 
make it up later, 



Part II 
THE TRAINING OF CHILDREN 



VII 

TRAINING THE BABY TO SLEEP 

THE general training of children, stub- 
born or otherwise, is a subject that 
has been widely discoursed upon by edu- 
cators and others. Much valuable infor- 
mation has been put forth on the subject, 
especially about children from three or 
four years old up to the time when child- 
hood begins to become a thing of the past. 
Many years of work and personal contact 
with children under this age have been to 
me most interesting and instructive in de- 
veloping facts regarding the urgent neces- 
sity for careful training from earliest in- 
fancy. This is a time when the character 
is moist clay in the potter's hands to do 
with what he will. In looking back over 
the hundreds of children whom I have had 
no small share in caring for, each little 



82 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

one seems to have had its own individual 
personality with its own peculiar virtues 
or failings. No two were alike, while at 
the same time there was a strange similarity 
in the unconscious response each one made 
to any influence brought to bear upon its 
weak or strong points, as the case might 
be. 

One would hardly expect to find marked 
traits of character in a very young infant; 
nevertheless they are there, and show 
themselves very strongly, often when the 
infant is not more than twenty-four hours 
old. This, then, is the time to commence 
your training. Begin the molding process 
right now. It is for you to make the child 
what you will, and if begun now the task 
will not be a difficult one. I have often 
seen the most stubborn and even vicious 
children in a marvelously short time suc- 
cumb completely to good influence, be- 
coming sunny-tempered, obedient, and 
lovable. 

Infants are helpless, consequently they 
require our care, and it is a matter of duty 
that this should be our intelligent best. 
Do not depend on guessing in this impor- 



TRAINING THE BABY TO SLEEP 83 

tant matter; it is not safe. Children re- 
quire love, sympathy, companionship, and 
amusement just as much as the adult, prob- 
ably more ; but remember that a surfeit of 
good things has the same effect upon the 
young as it does upon an older person. 
It seems rather ridiculous, does it not, to 
think of a child, and a very young one at 
that, becoming blase-tired of the good 
things offered? But it is true. We do 
not have to look very far to see children, 
even infants, turn away their heads with 
a shriek of disapprobation when well- 
meant but constant demonstrations of 
affection are thrust upon them. This open 
rebellion goes to show how distasteful it 
is to the child. Occasionally children of 
not over-robust constitutions become so 
wearied and weak with handling, hugging, 
and kissing that, like a sensitive plant, they 
wilt, and with pathetic patience submit 
to the inevitable because they are too weak 
to resist. 

A selfish, nervous, unhappy child is in- 
variably the result of over-indulgence on 
the part of the parent, and not infrequent- 
ly the parent reaps a bitter reward in ut- 



84 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

terly failing to hold the respect, love, and 
obedience which are due the parent from 
the child. Children who are over-in- 
dulged lack self-control, and self-control 
taught at a very early age soon ceases 
to be self-control. It becomes a habit of 
trust in the mother, confidence in her dis- 
cretion, love, and judgment. If this early 
training is delayed, almost before the 
mother realizes it she finds a wilful and 
stubborn child; then if she tries to correct 
the faults she has nourished she will realize 
that the remodeling process is a far more 
difficult task than the molding would 
have been in the beginning. If you com- 
mence to humor the child early in life by 
walking, rocking, or some other form of 
entertainment, he will have a right to ex- 
pect to be humored in other things, and he 
usually is humored until he becomes the 
autocrat who holds sway over every one 
with whom he comes in contact. 

Some time ago a young father came to 
me in genuine distress, looking completely 
worn out. His six-weeks-old baby had 
not slept a single night since it was born, 
and so cross and irritable was the child 



TRAINING THE BABY TO SLEEP 8$ 

that one week was the average stay of any 
nurse. In the six weeks five had already 
succumbed to the nervous strain of caring 
for this one small infant. The history 
obtained from the father was that for the 
first few days after his birth the infant 
was scarcely out of the nurse's arms; he 
was rocked, walked with, and dandled on 
the nurse's lap with the idea of keeping 
him quiet, as the mother was very ill, and 
it was thought she might possibly be made 
worse by hearing the infant cry. A week 
or two later, when the mother was a little 
stronger, and the nurse felt that it was no 
longer necessary to humor the baby, his 
majesty was not willing to do without one 
of these attentions — even for a moment. 
He demanded that all previous ones be 
continued and that a little more be added. 
He had already discovered that by crying 
he was sure to come out ahead in the strug- 
gle, and he used his powers to the full 
extent. 

The result was that this six-weeks-old 
infant ruled with a rod of iron an entire 
household of several adults, who took turns 
walking the floor with him the greater part 



86 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

of the twenty-four hours. After consider- 
able persuasion the little autocrat did con- 
sent, under protest, to lie on a large bed 
part of the night, provided somebody sat 
beside him and continually joggled the 
wire mattress up and down; his crib he 
positively refused to lie in. The father 
and nurse took turns in joggling, and un- 
der these conditions he kindly consented 
to sleep at short intervals, but always with 
one eye open. If the joggling attentions 
ceased for one-half minute in order that 
the joggler might catch forty winks a sharp 
yell immediately reminded him of his 
duties, hence the frequent change of nurses 
and the worn, pathetic look of the young 
father. 

It took considerable argument to con- 
vince the father that the child was not 
suffering from some terrible internal mal- 
ady, and later, when it was advised that 
the much-indulged and spoiled child be 
put into his crib at night, the lights turned 
down, and the infant then left to go to sleep 
alone and without any further attentions, 
the suggestion was greeted with horror. 
In the course of conversation and argu- 



TRAINING THE BABY TO SLEEP 87 

ment the fond parent's vanity was some- 
what hurt when it was hinted that the 
head of the house had abdicated his au- 
thority to the will of a six- weeks-old auto- 
crat, and meekly acquiesced whenever the 
son commanded. However, he decided to 
carry out the suggestion that had been 
offered. The nervous wife accepted an 
invitation to spend a few days with her 
mother, and that night father and son had 
it out together. This is what happened: 
son strenuously rebelled for one hour and 
a half, then gave up the fight, never to re- 
new it. Why? Because the father was 
made painfully conscious during this hour- 
and-a-half struggle that his part of the 
discipline was by far the hardest to bear, 
and he made a solemn vow to be the 
officer in command from that time 
forth. 

In the matter of amusements, for the 
first six months, at least, the infant does 
not require much attention. Up to the 
third month he will find enough to amuse 
himself, first in getting acquainted with 
his surroundings, then with the objects in 
his room, next his fingers and toes. Later 



88 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

let him have a simple toy, but do not 
crowd toys upon him; the appreciation 
and pleasure is not as great when there 
is a surfeit. There is no doubt that it 
gives the adult a great deal of pleasure to 
shower gifts and amusements upon chil- 
dren of all ages, but is not the motive more 
or less selfish on our part ? In the pleasure 
it gives us do we not overlook the harm we 
may be doing? In fact, we are sometimes 
hurt by the child's lack of enthusiasm over 
our gifts. I know of two children whose 
doting parents and relatives surfeit them 
with expensive toys of every variety, until 
now they have ceased to express any pleas- 
ure whatever at a gift; each new toy given 
them is critically looked over, then in a 
bored manner cast aside and usually never 
touched again. When asked what they 
wanted for Christmas they replied: "Noth- 
ing ; we must have everything there is now/' 
But these same children at a small enter- 
tainment where there was a grab-bag which 
contained only the simplest kind of toys, 
probably not one costing over five cents, 
went into ecstasies of delight over a few 
common wooden toys drawn from the bag; 



TRAINING THE BABY TO SLEEP 89 

these were taken home and played with 
for months. 

That familiarity breeds contempt is true, 
and most forcibly is it shown in the rela- 
tions of many children to their parents. 
What child can respect the parent whom in 
most things he rules? The only love he 
bears for such a parent is a selfish one, be- 
cause the parent is the medium through 
which he accomplishes his desires and 
ends. Parents (while the child is very 
young) cannot begin to realize the irre- 
mediable wrong they are inflicting upon 
their children when they cater to every 
whim and gratify every wish. Examples of 
children thus spoiled are unhappily only 
too much in evidence wherever one goes, 
and the pitiful part of it is that in a very 
few years, when they are older and stronger, 
they become more and more unmanageable. 

Then comes the long and bitter struggle 
for mastery between parent and child. If 
the parent fails, which is most often the 
case, the poor victim of misdirected affec- 
tion is usually turned over to tutor or 
governess, and this person, whether good, 
bad, or indifferent, or whether possessing 



go YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

any fitness for the task or not, is expected 
to remodel the clay which by this time is 
pretty well set. This failing, there are 
numerous boarding-schools, many of which 
advertise as making a specialty of training 
incorrigible children. It is a great reflec- 
tion on the influence of the modern parent 
that so many children of tender years are 
sheltered in these schools, and at an age 
when children need a parent's love and 
guidance as well as the influence and com- 
fort which only a good home can give. 
On the other hand, it may be said to the 
credit of these schools that their influence 
has been the redemption of many badly 
spoiled children. 

The summer hotel and boarding-house 
are also places where children of this type 
abound — rude, undisciplined, and ill-bred. 
It is no small wonder that so many hotels 
refuse to take children. 

Between parent and child there should 
be a close bond of friendship. Where this 
exists love, respect, and obedience follow 
in the natural course of events. These 
qualities are not made to order or on de- 
mand, but spring to life and grow only 



TRAINING THE BABY TO SLEEP 91 

when properly nurtured, which is not by 
over-indulgence, nor by paying another 
to assume your responsibility. 

As the training of most children devolves 
chiefly upon the mother, it rests in a great 
measure with her whether her children are 
to be a tiresome burden or a great pleasure. 
The whole secret of success in managing a 
child is to start early and right. It re- 
quires some little nerve and self-sacrifice, 
but only for a very little while; then the 
Rubicon is crossed and the way is smoothed, 
and as the child grows the task becomes 
more and more easy. 

While firmness and decision are most 
necessary to this training, do not for a mo- 
ment forget that love, sympathy, and gen- 
tleness must go with it ; but not with such 
lavishness as to prove a drawback. To 
be too constantly in each other's society is 
not good for either mother or child. Under 
these circumstances, from constant asso- 
ciation the child will impose upon the 
mother; it becomes exacting and peevish, 
while the mother, from never being free 
from care night or day, cannot help being 
more or less impatient and unjust at times. 



92 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

The mother who makes it a rule to de- 
vote a certain portion or portions of each 
day to her children, who plays, laughs, 
talks with them, seldom fails to secure 
their love and respect. She should make 
them feel that this time is her gift to them; 
it belongs to them, and nothing should in- 
terfere to take her away at this hour. The 
children soon learn not to expect attention 
at any other time, and look forward to 
these hours when the mother is with them 
as the most precious in the twenty-four, 
as they should be. The mother, too, has 
leisure then, and can properly attend to 
household and other duties as well as in- 
dulge in a necessary amount of pleasure. 
Every one needs a certain amount of rec- 
reation; by managing in this way, and 
not giving up her whole time to the chil- 
dren, both parent and child derive much 
benefit. There is for the child the ad- 
vantage that the mother comes to him 
fresh and young for a romp and play; 
she is not worried, nervous, nor prema- 
turely old from the constant care and 
worry of fretful children. Their noise 
does not annoy her; it is not a con- 



TRAINING THE BABY TO SLEEP 93 

tinual "stop," "no," and "don't" on her 
part, which is not infrequently the case 
where mother and child are thrown so 
continually together as to tire each 
other. 



VIII 



" MANAGING' ' THE CHILD 



THE whole art — for it is an art — of 
managing children depends very large- 
ly on the early control of the child. This 
determines the frequency of the necessity 
for punishing the child when he is older. 
For your early pains you will have your 
reward; not in a perfect child, as perfec- 
tion does not exist in this world, but you 
will have the love, respect, and confidence 
of your child, and there will be less dis- 
position to wilfulness and wrong-doing 
than exists in children who are left by their 
parents to follow their own inclinations 
and bring themselves up, as it were. It 
is also essential to bear in mind that after 
the wrong has been done, punishment in- 
flicted, and repentance expressed, it is well 
to let the whole affair drop right there. 



"MAN AGING" THE CHILD 95 

Forget it ; never humiliate the child or hurt 
his feelings by alluding to the unpleasant- 
ness again. It is of no assistance in the 
training, nor does it make the child's dis- 
position better in any way to continually 
remind him of errors of the past. Neither 
should a punishment ever be mentioned 
to others in the child's presence; to do so 
is a mean advantage to take of the child, 
who has usually suffered enough humilia- 
tion and shame. It is often trying, even 
harmful, to have one's feelings ruffled and 
trampled upon and private affairs openly 
discussed with family, neighbor, or friend. 
It is this sort of thing that strikes down 
deep in the heart of a sensitive little child 
and crushes the true spirit out of him. 
Most children are acutely sensitive as well 
as keen, and yet, knowing this, how many 
mothers do we find ruthlessly exposing 
their inmost feelings, mothers who, when 
a little child in shame or because it is shy 
hides its little head, seem to think this act 
of self-defense a cunning trick to be ex- 
hibited on occasions without regard to the 
child's feelings. I have known children 
only several months old to show decided 



96 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

signs of embarrassment under similar con- 
ditions, which goes to show how much 
more delicate and refined were their per- 
ceptions than those of the mothers who 
placed them on exhibition without regard 
for their sensitive feelings. 

The influence of early training is strong- 
ly felt in the sick-room, and it is not an 
exaggeration to say that in case of sick- 
ness an infant or child who has had the 
advantage of being well trained stands a 
far better chance for recovery than a child 
who has been neglected in this respect. 
The well-trained child in a measure lacks 
nerves; at any rate, he has not any dread 
or fear of unpleasant things happening. 
He has faith and confidence in those who 
care for him. Character and self-control 
unconsciously become strong points, and 
the consequences are that when ill he 
naturally, without resistance or fear, re- 
ceives all efforts made to relieve his dis- 
comfort. This calm acceptance of the 
inevitable is an immense saving of energy, 
and enables the child better to withstand 
any inroads made by a simple illness or 
serious disease. The chances for recovery 



" MANAGING" THE CHILD 97 

in these cases are far greater than those 
of a nervous, fretful, spoiled child who 
is always anticipating unpleasant things, 
who is utterly lacking in self-control at such 
times, and who cries, fusses, and resists all 
attempts to make him comfortable or re- 
lieve his sufferings. 

These children are by far the most dis- 
couraging and unsatisfactory patients that 
a doctor treats or a nurse cares for. All 
efforts on their part are met with poor re- 
sponse; recovery is always retarded and 
sometimes made impossible when they are 
forced to labor under such conditions. 

One of the many cases of this kind that 
have come to my notice was that of a 
mother whose love and devotion for her 
first baby were so great that she forgot 
even to consider whether her spoiling was 
for the child's good or not. This little 
baby, who was perfectly healthy at birth, 
by the time he reached the age of eight or 
nine months was a very frail little bit of 
humanity, all through the mother's ex- 
aggerated love and the extreme overdoing 
of every attention which was necessary for 
his well-being. The mother had been re- 



98 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

monstrated with several times, but where 
the baby was concerned she was absolutely- 
deaf to reason. He was her child; she 
alone was responsible; if she chose to spoil 
him while a little baby she would and was 
perfectly willing to assume all responsi- 
bility and suffer the consequences later. 
She felt confident there could be "no seri- 
ous consequences," for surely such love 
as hers could not fail to bring forth a 
spontaneous response from the child. 
From the young mother's point of view 
there could be no question as to her being 
right in this matter; she never once con- 
sidered that she had given the baby no 
choice whatever, or at least that he could 
not plead his own case, in this one-sided 
contest. As the weeks became months, 
and in spite of all theories, the baby did 
not thrive, doctor after doctor was con- 
sulted, but the existing conditions made 
their efforts all but valueless. At the end 
of six or seven months the "spontaneous 
response' ' that was looked for was not 
forthcoming, and the child's physical con- 
dition was slowly but surely growing worse 
and worse. The mother, too, was now be- 



"MANAGING" THE CHILD 99 

ginning to suffer the consequences which 
she had so confidently courted earlier, in 
the form of a complete nervous breakdown, 
and the physician peremptorily ordered 
that the mother and child be separated 
for several months. The child was placed 
in the care of a good and sensible nurse, 
and was not long in responding to normal 
care and treatment. 

Children should be spared all nervous 
strain. It is remarkable how easily chil- 
dren are affected by the moods of the peo- 
ple with whom they come in contact. 
If a nurse is gloomy or morose this seldom 
fails to show its effects upon the child's 
disposition. Change the nurse for a bright 
and cheerful person and see what a marked 
change it will make in the little one's happi- 
ness. I have seen very young infants stop 
feeding, refuse to take the breast again, 
and a distinctly worried look come over 
their little faces because some worry or 
trouble has caused the mother to cry while 
she was nursing the child. Do not make 
the mistake of thinking that even a very 
young child does not understand and is 
not affected when you give way to your 



ioo YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

feelings, when you discuss troubles, worries, 
family cares, or settle unpleasant differ- 
ences, or quarrel while they are in your 
presence. Children are remarkably sus- 
ceptible to unpleasant conditions, and are 
much keener of comprehension than they 
are ordinarily given credit for being. 
Scenes or demonstrations of sorrow and 
trouble should be carefully guarded against 
when they are near, for the nervous strain 
consequent upon such is much greater 
than their little strength should be called 
upon to bear. We cannot comprehend the 
workings of their minds nor know what 
pangs they quietly endure, but the effects 
will often be manifest in restless nights, 
loss of appetite, and fretfulness. 

It is also well to give a little child credit 
for a moderate amount of common sense. 
They really have quite a good deal, con- 
sidering their inexperience and the short 
time they have been in this world. It is 
greatly for their good and that of the 
mother, too, to allow the children to do a 
little thinking of their own, and occasion- 
ally to abide by their judgment in certain 
matters. We really have no right to arbi- 



"MANAGING" THE CHILD 101 

trarily insist on doing all their thinking for 
them, without considering that the child 
has any judgment or right in the matter. 
These little men and women have prefer- 
ences, likes, and dislikes much the same 
as adults. No one wants to have his 
wishes entirely ignored ; neither does 
one like to be made to do things which 
are distasteful, without apparent rea- 
son. 

For instance, one of the dearest chil- 
dren I have ever had anything to do with 
was subjected to almost inhuman treat- 
ment, and by a mother who was unusually 
devoted and full of maternal love. She 
made the very grievous mistake of forcing 
the result of her own conclusions upon the 
child without first carefully studying the 
child's temperament and intelligence re- 
garding her own personal and physical 
requirements. The little girl, while ap- 
parently in perfect health, was unusually 
dainty and refined in all her tastes and 
habits, and her appetite was in keeping 
with these traits; but because she did not 
eat as much food as a husky boy the 
mother imagined the child was starving, 



io2 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

notwithstanding she thrived as well as 
the average child of her age. 

In her quiet way she was a perfectly 
happy and contented child. Most mothers 
would have been satisfied with this state 
of affairs, but this one was not. She was 
foolish enough to imagine that stuffing the 
child at meal-times would bring about 
more satisfactory progress, so the quantity 
of food at each meal-time was largely in- 
creased, and every effort was made to coax 
or force the child to eat it. Naturally, one 
so dainty rebelled at such vulgar portions, 
much of which was entirely unsuitable for 
the stomach of a child not yet twenty 
months old. The appetite failed. Then 
the times of giving food were made more 
frequent, and food was offered between 
meals, at all hours of the day and night. 
The mother became nearly frantic, but 
the more she persevered and urged food 
upon the child the more the child resisted. 
When danger of starvation arose the food 
was put into the stomach by means of a 
feeding- tube; this performance required 
the services of three adults, two to hold the 
child and one to insert the tube. Matters 



"MANAGING" THE CHILD 103 

now began to assume a serious aspect, for 
the appearance of any one with a cup or 
spoon excited the child to the verge of 
convulsions. 

Several doctors were called in to try 
and untangle this serious state of affairs. 
One doctor, braving all possible displeasure 
that the family might display, promptly 
made the unique diagnosis of "Too much 
mother/ ' and prescribed a rational course 
of treatment which consisted of three sim- 
ple meals a day. If the child refused one 
or two, or even three, of these meals she 
was to be allowed to go without them. 
Nothing was to be given between meals; 
she was not to be coaxed or even noticed 
at such times. As she was fairly able to 
help herself, the child was placed at a low 
table and the food placed on it; then she 
was left alone. No one was allowed to 
stay in the room. Of course, the mother 
at first objected to this treatment, as she 
was sure the child would rather starve 
than eat, and that some coaxing was abso- 
lutely necessary ; however, she finally con- 
sented to allow a trial to be made, and, 
much to her surprise, on peeping into the 

8 



io 4 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

room fifteen minutes after the food had 
been left with the child she found that it 
had entirely disappeared. The child was 
then, by the doctor's orders, placed in the 
care of one person; she kept very quiet, 
and all amusement was banished in order 
that she might have a complete rest to help 
overcome the great nervous strain the poor 
little thing had undergone during this 
struggle. She was left alone to do as she 
pleased with her food, to eat as little or as 
much as she chose. It was not long be- 
fore nature asserted itself, reaction set 
in, and the rapidly vanishing pounds were 
regained. 

There is little doubt that during this 
struggle there was a large element of 
stubbornness on the part of the child, prob- 
ably slight at first at being disturbed in 
the peaceful tenor of her meals, and in- 
creasing in force as she met an equally 
stubborn resistance on the part of the 
mother. This struggle kept on until it 
reached a point beyond the child's con- 
trol. At this point no amount of reason- 
ing, coaxing, or even force would cause 
her to give in, and the only hope of con- 



"MANAGING" THE CHILD 105 

trolling the child and probably of saving 
her life was the method which was advised 
by the doctor. 

Now this whole proceeding from begin- 
ning to end was unnecessary. Young as 
the child was, she was old enough to know 
her limitations in this matter, and she 
should have been left alone. If in her 
immature way she had fretted, cried, or 
shown any discontent with her lot, then 
there would have been some reason for 
the mother to interfere, and with her 
mature experience endeavor to right mat- 
ters for the child. As it was, her inter- 
ference with a perfectly contented little 
human being was unjustifiable. 

How many times, I wonder, does the 
average mother prevaricate to her child 
in the course of a day ? If she kept a care- 
ful watch on herself I think she would be 
surprised, if not ashamed, at the number 
of fibs, untruths, or lies (no matter by 
what name you may call them, they are 
all the same) that have slipped from her 
tongue, most of them perhaps uncon- 
sciously. As a result of this deplorable 
habit we find a great many children whose 



io6 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

confidence in their parents' word is de- 
cidedly shaky. While they have no faith 
in promises made, there is at the same time 
a kind of nervous expectancy and wild 
hope that by some chance they may be 
kept. Truthfulness in children is not an 
overstrong habit, chiefly due to the 
example set by their elders. There is 
nothing to be gained, and a great deal to 
be lost, in deceiving a little child. It is 
very unnecessary. If you would have your 
children perfectly honest, straightforward, 
and truthful with you, be the same with 
them. 



IX 

HEREDITY AND ENVIRONMENT 

THERE are few things more conducive 
to disobedience and stubbornness in 
children than the constant use of the 
words "no" and "don't." The mother 
should hesitate more than once before say- 
ing them. Listen patiently to a little one's 
request before saying "no," no matter 
how trivial it may seem to you. It may 
mean much to him. If the request is 
reasonable, even though it may cause you 
some little inconvenience, try to grant it. 
If, however, saying "yes" to the child is 
going to cause a great deal of discomfort 
to some one else, if it is not for the child's 
good, or if after deliberation what is asked 
seems wrong in your judgment, give the 
child a short but intelligent reason for a 
denial, then let no amount of teasing 



108 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

change your decision. It is not necessary 
to be stern in this matter, but firm, and 
the child will soon learn to accept your 
judgment without fretting, satisfied in the 
feeling that you know best. Always think 
twice before saying "no," but once said, 
stick to it; do not retreat. 

The word "don't" is another bugbear 
word to children. It is a small word and 
slips out so easily that often it is used 
twenty times where it should be used but 
once; the consequence being that two- 
thirds of the time when this word is used 
the child knows it is not more than half 
meant. As a consequence the command 
is not heeded by the child, and small acts 
of disobedience constantly result which 
are overlooked by the mother. There will 
surely come a time when some act of fla- 
grant disobedience takes place which can- 
not well be disregarded, and the punish- 
ment which follows is almost always looked 
upon by the child as unfair. And he is 
right. It is the fault of the parent, who 
has overlooked small discrepancies and al- 
lowed the child to work up to this unpleas- 
ant climax. If the child dares, he rebels 



HEREDITY AND ENVIRONMENT 109 

openly at his punishment; if not, he 
broods over it in silence. Either way, one 
may be assured that there is considerable 
bitter feeling on one side or the other, 
which is not conducive to friendly relations. 

The habit of threatening is another bad 
element in the training of children; unless 
threats are meant, the mother has nothing 
to gain in using them, and she loses much 
of the respect of her child. In a remark- 
ably short time he learns that the mother's 
threats are mere words, that they mean 
nothing; so he continues to do exactly as 
he pleases in spite of them, while the 
mother sighs and wonders why her child 
is so disobedient. 

I heard recently of a mother who told 
her little girl to change her shoes before 
going to drive. The child fretted and 
whined, and, while she did not positively 
refuse, neither did she make any effort tow- 
ard obeying the mother's request. After 
ten or fifteen minutes of unpleasant skir- 
mishing between mother and child came the 
threat, "Very well, then; you shall not go 
to drive with me unless your shoes are 
changed.' ' At this the little girl made a 



no YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

sudden run for the hall, then, slowly edg- 
ing her way sidewise down the stairs, kept 
calling back: "I'm going to get in the car- 
riage. I'm going to get in the carriage." 
She kept this up until she reached the door, 
then darted out and did get into the car- 
riage. The mother meanwhile was help- 
lessly exclaiming: "What is there to be 
done with such a disobedient child? I 
know I ought to bring her right back and 
insist upon her minding me, and really 
she should have a good spanking; but if I 
attempt to bring her back she will scream 
and kick, so I suppose I must give in 
rather than have a scene.' ' When the 
mother went out this prematurely wise 
little girl greeted her with the sweetest 
smile and these words: "You did not 
mean a word of what you said, did you, 
mother? I knew it." And with a know- 
ing twinkle in her eye she added, "If you 
really want me to, I'll change my shoes 
next time." 

The mother, who but a moment ago was 
distressed and mortified at the disobedi- 
ence of her little girl, now laughed and 
thought her remarkably clever, and so she 



HEREDITY AND ENVIRONMENT in 

was. All the greater is the pity that a 
child naturally so bright and really lovable 
should not have her rare talents developed 
by judicious management. 

Many mothers, by the circumstances of 
their lives, are obliged to be constantly 
with their children. A mother who has no 
one to relieve her in the care of her baby 
or family of little ones naturally has to be 
with them a large portion of the time, and 
there is no doubt that at times her cares 
press very heavily. By this constant care 
and association her children should be 
trained to be such a comfort and joy that 
any trouble they may cause seems worth 
while. 

In the first place, establish a system 
which will help you much in the care of 
your baby and little ones. Have a regular 
time for rising, bath, meals, airing, bed- 
time, etc. There is no reason, if the child 
wakes up at four o'clock in the morning 
and wants amusement, that the tired 
mother should give up those early hours 
of sleep, which are the sweetest and oft- 
times the most beneficial to her, just be- 
cause the children want her to. The 



ii2 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

younger the baby the easier it is to teach 
him to sleep at the proper time; children 
of two, three, four years and older have 
most active brains, and if they awake 
early do not go to sleep again as easily as 
a baby. They want a frolic or they cry 
lustily for attention and amusement ; they 
want to get up; they want a drink; they 
want a cracker or something to eat, or they 
want to crawl into mother's bed to cuddle, 
play, tease, or fret. If the mother allows 
this sort of thing she establishes a bad 
precedent; the children soon learn to im- 
pose upon her. This creates a certain 
selfish lack of consideration, which in- 
creases as the child grows older. One de- 
mand after another is made during the day, 
most of them useless. They do not help 
or benefit the child in the slightest degree, 
nor give him any real pleasure, while they 
sap the strength, health, and patience of 
the young mother, especially when her 
daily cares commence several hours earlier 
in the morning than they normally should. 
This is altogether wrong; the mother 
should not allow herself to become a slave 
to her young children. If the unnecessary 



HEREDITY AND ENVIRONMENT 113 

desires of the children are not gratified, 
they grow up to expect only that which is 
beneficial, and they are far better satisfied 
with what is given them, and much hap- 
pier. They naturally learn to respect 
their mother's need of rest in these early 
hours of the day, and know that they are 
not to make demands other than those of 
absolute necessity. If properly trained, 
they will be perfectly contented to lie 
quietly in bed or go to sleep again. 

With a family of several children, teach 
them at an early age to be useful in helping 
themselves and others. Children of four 
and five can be taught to dress themselves 
quite neatly, and even a younger child can 
be taught to put on most of his garments 
with little assistance; while the mother is 
bathing the baby the other children, even 
though not more than two or three years 
old, can be very useful in handing her 
things. Be careful never to make little 
duties tedious or obligatory tasks to the 
child — rather a privilege; for if forced 
these little duties become hard work, and 
the child will look upon them as drudgery. 
Children can be taught to dress themselves 



ii 4 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

at an early age. First teach the child to 
put on one single garment, then another, 
and by encouragement and judicious praise 
you will stimulate his ambition, so that in 
a short time he will be able to dress him- 
self neatly and be proud of his accomplish- 
ments. Then teach him to help a younger 
brother or sister. In teaching a child to 
help himself at an early age you teach him 
not only to use his hands dexterously, but 
to be skilful in many ways. 

There will come a time occasionally when 
the child will dally and fret over dressing 
himself, perhaps even rebel. When this 
occurs do not give in and perform the task 
for him ; if possible, avert these little spells 
of revolt on the part of the child, draw 
his attention to something else, preferably 
to some portion of the clothing which is 
giving him so much unhappiness. If a 
stubborn button is causing trouble, with a 
pencil mark on it two eyes, a nose, and 
mouth with the corners turning upward, 
and see how hard he will work to get the 
laughing button through the hole; or in- 
vent some little game by which getting 
into the clothes quickly is part of the 



HEREDITY AND ENVIRONMENT 115 

game. There are dozens of ways which 
any mother with an inventive mind can 
bring into play to divert the child. 

I do not advise the offering of rewards 
for the performance of these childish 
duties; I would rather surprise the child 
occasionally with a treat of some kind, 
something, if possible, for which he has 
expressed a desire, letting him know at 
this time that you appreciate his little 
endeavors. I have known children whom 
a good hug and a kiss and a few words of 
well-earned praise from the mother would 
please as much as a handsome gift. Their 
appreciation was shown by the cheerful 
and happy manner with which they re- 
newed their efforts to be helpful and to 
please. Continual flattery or hiring chil- 
dren to do the things you wish them to do 
may bring about some results, but it is 
not the best method to pursue. The re- 
sponse on the part of the child is not made 
of its own free will. Flattery breeds self- 
love, conceit, and self -consciousness ; hir- 
ing a child to perform a duty encourages 
selfishness and meanness. In either case 
the child is not helped. 



n6 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

In striving to teach a child to be helpful 
always remember that his powers of en- 
durance are not overstrong, and, as I re- 
marked before, do not tax his patience or 
strength too far. Never let these little 
duties which are now being cheerfully per- 
formed become a burden; do not deprive 
them of a much-desired pleasure in order 
that they may perform some slight task. 
Either let it be omitted for once or arrange 
for its performance at a time when it will 
not interfere with pleasure. Never allow 
an older child to become the caretaker of 
little brothers and sisters; it is one of the 
meanest impositions which can be thrust 
upon a child, and absolutely unfair. It is 
really a form of slavery, and it is tolerated 
by the child only because he is powerless 
to help himself. In families where the 
mother has most of the family burdens to 
bear I think the older children can be made 
useful as the mother's helpers. But this 
usefulness should never be carried to the 
point of drudgery nor urged when it causes 
the child to be robbed of the time which 
justly belongs to him for leisure and rec- 
reation. 



HEREDITY AND ENVIRONMENT 117 

Any mother overburdened with family 
duties or domestic cares can lighten her 
burdens very materially and take untold 
comfort with her family of little ones if 
she guides them judiciously and lets each 
one have, more as a privilege than a duty, 
his or her little share of each day's work. 
It would probably enable the mother to 
find among her own busy hours one that 
she can give entirely to her children as 
part of their share of the busy day. It 
will be an hour of pleasure and recreation 
to her, too. 

I believe that training or guiding of the 
right sort is as important as heredity and 
environment in influencing the characters 
of children. While these two subjects have 
been widely discussed and argued, and the 
former is most generally supposed to be 
the stronger influence of the two, I would 
not depend too much on either when not 
influenced by early training. That strong 
family characteristics or traits are shown 
through generations or at times crop out 
most unexpectedly in remote branches of 
a family cannot be denied. 

Environment, too, is a strong factor in 



n8 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

molding character. And yet I know of 
many children who have had the advan- 
tage of an unquestionably good family 
history, whose environment was most re- 
fined and cultivated, which combination 
of conditions ought to be perfect, who yet, 
through petting and humoring, were spoiled. 
Both heredity and environment have come 
to naught as far as the formation of char- 
acter is concerned. These children have 
in many instances been quite unmanage- 
able, and frequently have shown traits of 
viciousness totally unexpected in the off- 
spring of so-called blue blood. On the 
other hand, I have known children of 
humble origin, when transplanted to a 
higher plane of living, to respond to new 
conditions in a remarkably short time; but 
if such children, after being humored 
and spoiled, developed numerous failings 
and shortcomings these would undoubtedly 
be laid at the door of heredity, which 
probably played a very small part in the 
matter. If a number of very young children 
were taken from different stations in life, 
with a hereditary history good, bad, or 
indifferent, and each were given equal ad- 



HEREDITY AND ENVIRONMENT 119 

vantages as to training, surroundings, edu- 
cation, etc., I believe that one class would 
respond as quickly and as well as the other. 
If they were all equally subjected to in- 
fluences more or less demoralizing I think 
they would either withstand or succumb 
to the influence in an equal degree, 
9 



X 

THE QUESTION OF PUNISHMENT 

A FEW years ago a child was placed 
in the Babies' Hospital whose family 
history could not have been much worse 
than it was. The parents, Russians of a 
low type, had lived a tramp life and had 
wandered over almost every country of 
the globe; they earned their living by the 
most convenient methods, without regard 
to ethical principles. The father died in 
Brazil, where this child was born. He was 
about a year and a half old when placed 
under our care, and as far as looks and 
actions were concerned was a decidedly 
unpromising subject ; in fact, several stran- 
gers who saw the boy remarked that they 
had never before seen "criminal" so plain- 
ly marked on a face as on this little boy's. 
His physical ailments were due partly to 
exposure and partly to neglect ; surely, as 



THE QUESTION OF PUNISHMENT 121 

far as heredity was concerned it seemed as 
though the child were doomed. He was 
actually vicious. He slapped, pinched, 
scratched the other children without provo- 
cation. At meal-time, after satisfying his 
own hunger, he would grab the food from 
the others, or with one or two sweeps 
of his small arms shove the food from the 
low table to the floor, and then would either 
step on it or, lying flat on his stomach, 
gather it under him in order to deprive 
the others. He was only a toddler, just 
managing to get about the room, still all 
the other children stood in mortal terror 
of him, and he had to be watched very care- 
fully, for, young as he was, he was capable 
of doing much real harm. A more de- 
praved and unattractive child one could 
not well imagine. 

A few days' experience with this minia- 
ture cyclone turned loose in our nursery 
made it seem justifiable to send him away, 
but, alas! when an attempt was made to 
find the mother she had vanished without 
a trace; so perforce we decided to try 
to overcome the moral as well as the physi- 
cal ills of this child as best we could. A 



122 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

careful eye was kept on him to keep him 
from doing harm, and whenever he started 
out on his little journeys of lawlessness 
and mischief he was not forcibly restrained, 
but his attention was diverted in some 
pleasant way from his wrong intentions. 
The attendants were not allowed, by word, 
look, or action, ever to be hasty or unkind ; 
coercion in any form or under any circum- 
stances was to be avoided. 

In a surprisingly short time this child 
began to yield to the influence which sur- 
rounded him; one by one his little vicious 
tricks or habits were forgotten, and an oc- 
casional smile — a sweet one it was, too — 
began to reward our efforts instead of the 
snarls and frowns which had hitherto 
greeted us. Absolute cleanliness and regu- 
lar habits were instituted as a part of the 
cure. Every morning at a regular hour 
his bath was given, then he was attired in 
the cleanest of clothes. The finest and 
most attractive was laid out for him; con- 
sequently cleanliness before long became 
an established habit. A spot of dirt on 
hands or frock was a matter of discomfort 
until removed. 



THE QUESTION OP PUNISHMENT 123 

For nearly five years it was my good for- 
tune to be able to keep this boy with me, 
and a more attractive, happy, and lovable 
child it would be hard to find anywhere. 
He was absolutely obedient; in fact, it 
never seemed to occur to him to be other- 
wise. He was neat and orderly in all his 
habits; no little detail of his toilet was 
ever forgotten by him. In the course of 
time our little charge not only grew to be 
the oldest inhabitant, but the oldest in 
point of age, and as new little ones came 
and went his attitude toward them was 
lovely. He looked well after the needs of 
the tiny ones and took great pains to 
initiate the older ones into orderly and 
careful habits. He shared with them, 
without a thought of selfishness, toys, 
books, or dainties. Surely heredity did 
not endow this child with all his good 
qualities; they were cultivated at an early 
age, and so deeply rooted were these good 
habits that they are likely to remain with 
him through life. 

Too much attention is paid to faults of 
children, both young and old, especially 
minor faults, I do not mean to imply 



i2 4 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

that small faults should be entirely over- 
looked or allowed to persist, but to be con- 
tinually alluding to faults, to keep them 
constantly before the children, makes 
them more and more familiar with their 
own shortcomings. Their offenses grow to 
seem less grave with familiarity, and the 
impulse to indulge in them becomes cor- 
respondingly stronger. While the child 
is very young and you see these small 
faults cropping out one by one, try to pre- 
vent their becoming fixtures by diverting 
the mind from any inclination to indulge 
in them. 

Not infrequently the faults most glaring 
in the children are those transmitted by 
heredity through the parents; in order to 
overcome this tendency the parents should 
look to themselves for the cure. Many 
undesirable traits which the parents them- 
selves possess but which they do not care 
to have their children develop should be 
most carefully guarded against in the pres- 
ence of the children, as there is no doubt 
that the hereditary tendency is fostered 
by example. It is not so strong, however, 
but that under proper treatment and con- 



THE QUESTION OF PUNISHMENT 125 

ditions its influence can be made very 
much weaker if not entirely eradicted. It 
is strange how small the faults of adults 
seem to themselves, but how disagreeable 
they find these same traits in a child. 

Sometimes children acquire undesirable 
traits or habits from companions. The 
habit of imitation is not only strong in chil- 
dren, but is a very strong element in all 
human nature. If the child's companions 
are particularly disagreeable or harmful, 
it is well to keep them apart, but under 
ordinary circumstances the best policy to 
pursue is to point out to the child that this 
or that particular fault which he is ac- 
quiring is unpleasant, or, if necessary /enter 
into mild argument with the child. I have 
found most children amenable to reason 
if it is put in a clear, simple, logical manner 
to them. While one would not advocate 
associates of a questionable character for 
a child, still it is not altogether a bad thing 
for a child to encounter some of the faults 
or peculiarities of other children. If there 
is a temptation to acquire undesirable 
qualities, the reasoning of an older and 
wiser head usually has its effect; this 



126 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

teaches the child to think out little prob- 
lems for himself and to reason intelli- 
gently. It also cultivates in the child 
powers of discrimination. It is well to 
have these little gifts take root early; they 
strengthen with time and help the child 
later to resist many of the temptations he 
is sure to meet. 

Recently a mother wrote and asked me 
how to govern an incorrigible boy of 
twelve years. She said whipping did no 
good; she had tried it again and again. 
The only effect it had was to make the boy 
more sullen and wilful. From what the 
mother wrote there was no doubt that the 
boy was bad and exceedingly difficult to 
manage. Notwithstanding this, somehow 
one's sympathies could not but be with 
the child. Think of the humility it must 
have caused a boy of twelve to be whipped 
by his mother, and from the resistance the 
boy showed the affair could hardly have 
been dignified by the name of whipping. 
The whole principle was wrong from be- 
ginning to end ; this mother had probably 
from the child's infancy resorted to spank- 
ing as the only method of enforcing obedi- 



THE QUESTION OF PUNISHMENT 127 

ence or as a means of punishing misde- 
meanors, and as the child grew older these 
harsh, not to say brutal, methods began to 
show their effects in the boy's nature. 
Real affection for the mother, who ruled by 
force rather than kindness, had probably 
by degrees grown less and less until there 
was no bond of sympathy between them. 
How could there be under these condi- 
tions? The boy had become lax if not 
entirely lacking in the respect which a 
child should have for his parent. 

Of course there are exceptions to every 
rule, or at least tradition says so. I know 
there are some mothers who declare that 
their children "just ache for a spanking 
once in so often." They say that the chil- 
dren really seem to take a righteous delight 
in meriting it, and after the administration 
of such are transformed into little models 
of perfection. They remain in this highly 
beatific state for a certain length of time; 
then down they come with a tumble to 
grovel in naughtiness until they have well 
earned another spanking. 

The mother of one of these irrepressibly 
active young cherubs, while morally con- 



128 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

vinced that an occasional spanking was the 
one thing her mischievous young offspring 
craved, in fact almost begged for, had mis- 
givings as to the wisdom of this method, 
and after some deliberation decided to em- 
ploy other means to correct her child. So 
when innocent fun changed its aspect and 
became unmistakable naughtiness, little 
"Mr. Man" was marched to a corner of 
the room and was left to weep, reason, and 
repent over his misdeeds. This new man- 
ner of punishment went well for a while, 
and the mother was delighted with the 
change ; in fact, she found it so simple and 
easy a remedy for all shortcomings on the 
part of the child that he was really called 
to task and punished far more often than 
was actually necessary. 

But these children whose mothers think 
they actually enjoy spanking are usually 
inclined to be rather bright, and this boy 
was no exception. These moments of 
meditation spent in the corner were not 
lost time with him by any means, as will 
be shown. It soon came to pass that the 
child did not wait for his mother to inflict 
punishment for wrong-doing, but whenever 



THE QUESTION OF PUNISHMENT 129 

he perpetrated some mischief which he 
felt his mother would not approve he would 
straightway march into his little corner 
and loudly bawl. While the crying at- 
tracted the mother at once, it did not 
always at once disclose the cause of the 
self-inflicted punishment. Sometimes the 
mischief was quickly found, but more often 
considerable time was lost in seeking its 
cause, and it was to the child's interest. 
It was one of these longer than usual voy- 
ages of discovery which made the young- 
ster forget his part in the game and brought 
him to grief. As all signs of audible grief 
had ceased, the mother turned quickly to 
find the little face out of its hiding-place 
and full of interest. There was a decidedly 
mischievous twinkle of the black eyes; it 
is needless to remark that the mother de- 
cided on the spot to go back to first 
principles. 

Notwithstanding this mother's experi- 
ence, and the assertions of many others 
who really love their children, but still 
declare it is absolutely necessary to resort 
to occasional spankings to keep them with- 
in bounds, I do not believe it necessary at 



i 3 o YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

all. There are many other modes of 
punishment less harsh and quite as effect- 
ual by which a child can be governed. The 
corner punishment for the little boy an- 
swered the purpose very well until the 
mother found it so easy and convenient a 
one that he was hustled there on the 
slightest provocation, and much more 
often than was necessary. Don't be too 
hard on the children ; remember that there 
is some of the traditional "old Adam" in 
most of them, and with this impulse strong 
in them, with powers of judgment still tin- 
developed or uncultivated, a child will 
many times innocently walk right into 
mischief and wrong-doing without being 
conscious that he is not doing that which 
is right. Don't be continually on the 
lookout for little failings, or make too 
much of little wrongs which are innocently 
committed; don't be hasty in inflicting 
punishment unless you are sure it is well 
merited. Be very careful also not to mis- 
judge, as nothing hurts with a more last- 
ing hurt than injustice. But when the 
time comes that the child deliberately and 
knowingly does wrong do not overlook it. 



THE QUESTION OF PUNISHMENT 131 

Punish the child and do it promptly; do 
not delay until the offense has grown stale 
in your mind or has been forgotten by the 
child. If you delay, the child rarely gets 
what he justly deserves and feels very 
much grieved at what he does receive. 

As to the best means of punishment I 
should hesitate to advise, except in a gen- 
eral way to strongly disapprove of spank- 
ing and whipping. There are as many dif- 
ferent methods of punishment as there 
are children or dispositions. What might 
prove most effectual with one would ut- 
terly fail if tried with another, but with 
most children a simple punishment, if em- 
ployed in the right way, is usually the most 
effectual. The chief point is in assuming a 
sober and earnest manner. Point out to the 
child wherein he has erred, make him feel 
that a wrong act is a serious thing never to 
be overlooked, and, while the punishment 
you deem best to inflict may be a very light 
one, it should be made a very solemn and 
impressive affair. When a child directly 
disobeys its parents or does a serious wrong 
there is no more effectual punishment than 
for either mother or father to withdraw 



i 3 2 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

for a time all demonstration of affection; 
do not notice the child ; in fact, completely 
ignore its presence. This kind of punish- 
ment will be found more effectual than any 
other method of correcting. It is a pun- 
ishment which is not often courted a sec- 
ond time by children; they dread a repeti- 
tion of such disagreeable feelings. It is, 
therefore, a punishment that ought not to 
be resorted to too often. It is only to be 
used in case of grave offense; small wrongs 
require milder correction. 



XI 

TEACHING BABY TO WALK 

AS a baby goes through the various stages 
l of infantile development, the first 
tooth, the first word, the first step alone, 
are in the eyes of fond parents marvelous 
feats accomplished. Waiting for the first 
tooth is often rather tedious, especially if 
the teething period is somewhat belated; 
but as the teeth will come through in their 
own good time, and the parents cannot, 
by coaxing or other effort, force them 
through the little pink gums, they have 
to be content and let them corneas they 
will. The first word or the first cooing 
is easily translated into "Papa" or "Ma- 
ma," depending entirely as to which parent 
happens to hear the first delightful little 
sound; but the first step is where both 
parents, admiring relatives, and nurse are 



i 3 4 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

all only too willing to lend a helpful hand 
to assist nature and the baby along. 

Most children are naturally ambitious 
to progress. Their powers of mimicry are 
keen, and they are eager to do the same 
things they see their elders do. They will 
try to walk just as soon as they feel that 
power within them which comes from 
strength. Surely the most ambitious par- 
ent is not more proud than the little tot 
who takes his first step alone; with feet 
firmly placed in position, body bent over, 
hands before him on the floor, first he lifts 
his head slowly but surely, then straight- 
ens his little body up, up, little by little, 
until he finds himself in an upright position ; 
to be sure, a little uncertain as to his 
equilibrium, but with radiant face and de- 
lighted chuckle at the feat he has accom- 
plished alone and unaided. He now be- 
comes daring enough to venture to take a 
step or two forward, but at this stage is 
usually so overcome with delight that he 
loses his balance and rather precipitately 
comes down to the floor again. He is 
happy, though, for he has taken his first 
step toward independent action. 



TEACHING BABY TO WALK 135 

The method of teaching children to walk 
by allowing them to choose their own time 
and means of doing so is best by far, for 
if walking is forced upon the child by am- 
bitious parents or attendants the results are 
far from satisfactory, and often the cause 
of a deformity. Bowed legs are almost 
inevitably the result of urging children to 
stand on their feet before the bones of the 
legs are sufficiently firm to bear their 
weight. While they are in a soft and un- 
developed condition they naturally bend 
a little beneath the weight, and repeated 
endeavors to make the child use his legs 
and feet while they are in this condition 
cause the curve to become more and more 
pronounced, and as the child grows older 
and the bones harden the deformity be- 
comes fixed and permanent. Sometimes 
the bone just above the ankle will curve 
out toward the instep; this straightens 
out somewhat as the child grows older, 
and can be overcome by wearing shoes 
made especially for the purpose; but the 
more common form of deformity is when 
the bone takes an outward curve between 

the knee and the ankle-joint in the shape 
10 



i 3 6 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

of a bow, from which the name "bow legs" 
is derived. This deformity in very young 
children is sometimes caused by wearing 
a diaper that is too bulky, but at that age 
the bones are so soft that if the cause is 
removed the legs usually right themselves 
without interference. Round shoulders 
are also apt to result from urging chil- 
dren to walk too early. 

When one attempts to assist nature it 
should be done carefully and intelligently, 
and by natural aid, not physical force. If 
a child is backward in cutting teeth or 
walking it is because there is something 
lacking in his system — something which 
should enter into the composition of the 
bones and give them strength. Assistance 
by artificial means is not always the best 
or most effectual way to obtain results; it 
is far better to try to find what kind of 
food nature supplies which will give the 
most nourishment for these parts. The 
majority of children learn to walk about 
the twelfth month, some do not walk until 
much later, and a few walk a month or 
two earlier. All children at a certain 
given time do not start in and walk; they 



TEACHING BABY TO WALK 137 

come to it gradually, first by pulling them- 
selves up to a half-way standing position 
and resting on their knees. Soon they 
become a little bolder and manage to get 
on their feet; later, with some assistance, 
such as a chair or other piece of furniture, 
they will take one step, then another, or, 
with a little help, take two or three steps. 
This is a child's natural way of learning 
to walk, but he will not attempt to do 
this unless he feels instinctively that his 
legs are strong enough to bear him; it 
is just as natural for a child to do this as 
it is for the teeth when they are perfected 
and strong, not before, to force their way 
up through the gum. 

It is always best to let the child take the 
initiative rather than to urge him, as at 
an early age he is keenly alert to his own 
capabilities; if his bones are soft and 
sensitive to pressure, intuitively he will 
not court unpleasant sensations by forc- 
ing them to bear his weight ; even a baby 
will not try to sit up until he feels that the 
muscular tissues are firm enough to sup- 
port the little spine. 

Unless the child shows some inclination 



138 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

to stand on his feet by pulling himself up 
on your lap or by some piece of furniture 
it is not wise to urge him; but if he takes 
the initiative, then a moderate amount of 
assistance can be given, such as by placing 
the hands around the child's chest to assist 
in steadying him, or by lifting him so that 
the feet touch a table, chair, or any flat 
surface. Then allow him to give light 
springs or jumps from the resisting body, 
supporting him so that only about one-half 
his weight rests on his feet. This is good 
exercise, and enables the child to gain con- 
fidence without forcing him in any way. A 
little later, when he has learned to stand 
firmly on his feet and shows a desire to 
take steps by stretching his hands toward 
you, take them in yours and let him take 
two or three steps, no more. 

If by the fifteenth or sixteenth month 
there is no attempt on the part of the 
child either to stand on his feet or to walk, 
it is a sign that the bones are softer than 
they ordinarily should be at that age. A 
special diet should be selected with a view 
to supply, as far as possible, the lacking 
material which should make them firmer 



TEACHING BABY TO WALK 139 

and stronger. It frequently happens, 
when the walking period has been delayed 
this late, that a child has lost some of the 
ambition which a normally healthy child 
at a much earlier age usually , displays. 
Such children need some help and encour- 
agement to induce them to walk. 

Children who do not walk until late are 
either rachitic or have had some illness 
which has left them too weak to make 
the attempt. The latter, as soon as they 
feel strength coming back, become ambi- 
tious, and will usually make up for the time 
they have lost. This is not so, however, 
with the rachitic child, who, especially if 
it has had a starchy diet, is apt to grow 
fat, heavy, and eventually lazy. To en- 
courage these children in walking I would 
advise a " baby- walker," which is a circu- 
lar affair with a seat suspended in the 
middle. It is excellent to help children 
to walk; the seat can be made higher or 
lower according to the length of the child's 
legs. It should be suspended at a height 
that will allow the ball of the child's foot 
to rest comfortably on the floor. On the 
upper circle of the frame the child can 



i 4 o YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

rest his hands, and, with his feet just touch- 
ing the floor, propel himself about the 
room. As he is in a sitting position, most 
of his weight falls upon the pelvis and 
thighs, very little on the legs from knee 
to ankle-joint, which is the part most 
likely to suffer. 

In a few days, or after the child has 
learned to move about in this way, lower 
the seat a trifle more so that the foot rests 
still more firmly on the floor, and so, as 
the child becomes stronger and has more 
confidence, little by little lower the seat 
until he stands squarely on his feet, and 
by holding on to the sides of the walker 
he can, by its aid, walk all over the room. 
Although baby-walkers are excellent helps 
for backward children, they should not be 
used as chairs, and a child should not be 
left sitting in one for more than fifteen or 
twenty minutes at a time, as a child partly 
suspended in one of these for any length 
of time would find it very uncomfortable. 
He would also be apt to lean forward and 
rest his head on the framework before 
him, which position is bad for the spine. 
A curved spine is not any more desirable 



TEACHING BABY TO WALK 141 

than bowed legs. The child may be placed 
in the walker several times a day for the 
time mentioned without harm. 

There is still another class of children 
that do not walk as early as they should; 
cases that are not due to lack of bone de- 
velopment or to sickness, but to over- 
cautious mothers and nurses who, fear- 
ing draughts and consequent colds, will 
restrain perfectly healthy and normal 
youngsters from touching the floor. Even 
the privilege of creeping and rolling around 
the bed is denied them for fear, in their 
abandon, they might indulge in a tumble 
to the floor; consequently these healthy 
and would-be active children, at the time 
when they should be running about, are 
instead hugged in the nurse's arms or se- 
curely tied in chairs high enough to escape 
the dreaded draughts. In the morning 
and after the noonday nap these poor 
little held-backs do try to help themselves 
a little by pulling themselves up by the 
sides of the crib and trying to walk around 
its narrow confines; but with little success, 
for the long nightdress, rumpled bedding, 
and spring-mattress make these attempts 



i 4 2 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

almost futile. I have known several chil- 
dren who have thus been held back, and 
in no instance has the child profited by 
the treatment; in fact, the enforced in- 
activity has been anything but beneficial. 
Neither has it been effectual in preventing 
colds, and before the cold weather was 
over these children were usually limp, 
spiritless, and delicate. This kind of treat- 
ment, depriving the child of the use of his 
legs, seems almost worse than urging him 
to use them too soon. It is harder, too, 
now for a child to learn to walk, for we all 
know that concussion is greater when a 
heavy body falls than when a lighter one 
does. 

The child at one year experiences little 
difficulty in learning to walk or to balance 
himself; he has no fear of hurting himself, 
for if he topples over he is so small and 
light that the concussion is very slight, and 
apparently makes no impression. He im- 
mediately picks himself up and resumes his 
endeavors to balance himself, and with 
each effort gains more confidence. It is 
quite different with a child who has been 
withheld from the privilege of walking 



TEACHING BABY TO WALK 143 

until he is a year and a half or two years 
old. The chances then are that he is not 
so strong as the younger child, that he has 
grown heavy from lack of exercise, and at 
last, when allowed the use of his feet, is 
not sure of himself and fears a fall; or, 
from constant holding and fondling, the 
child may have become delicate. Lack 
of strength alone stands in the way of this 
child's walking. 

Draughts which creep in under doors and 
window-casings are, no doubt, dangerous, 
and are without doubt a menace to the 
health of little children who are not pro- 
tected from them. It is also true that the 
air at the floor is colder than it is higher 
up in the room; still, with ordinary pre- 
cautions a child may play about the 
nursery floor most days during the winter 
without danger of catching cold from 
draughts. A thermometer should be hung 
a foot or two from the floor, and the tem- 
perature at that height should be kept as 
uniform as possible at about sixty to sixty- 
eight degrees Fahrenheit. If there are 
draughts coming in from under the door 
or window, newspapers placed at the 



144 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

cracks will obviate that difficulty; a warm 
rug or comfortable thrown on the floor 
will protect the child from the cold. If 
the mother is still skeptical she may in- 
dulge in a nursery pen, and place it as far 
from the door and window as possible; 
the soft, comforting rug can then be placed 
in the center of it ; the sides, if necessary, 
can be padded to further exclude any pos- 
sible draughts; within this inclosure the 
baby can, with safety, sit and play with 
his toys; or, by holding on to the sides of 
the pen he will pull himself up to his feet 
and, thus supported, learn to walk entirely 
around the little inclosure. This little 
pen also keeps him from creeping into 
places where he ought not to go when 
mother's back is turned for a moment, 
and if he takes a tumble his head will not 
come in contact with the furniture. 

In connection with children learning to 
walk it might be well to say a word in re- 
gard to their shoes and stockings, and I 
would here urge the mother not to allow 
style or sentiment to influence her in the 
selection of either. Health and comfort 
for the feet should be the first considera- 



TEACHING BABY TO WALK 145 

tion, for there are probably no other mem- 
bers of the body which, if not properly 
cared for, can be the seat of such discom- 
fort, to say nothing of real anguish at 
times. The care should commence long 
before the child learns to stand upon them, 
for at an early age a very slight pressure 
such as a tight stocking might give is ca- 
pable of causing deformities which, while 
almost too slight to be noticed at the time, 
often prove most painful later in life. 
Stockings may be of merino, silk, or cotton ; 
it matters little which as long as the feet 
are kept warm. They should be neither 
too large nor too small, but just a com- 
fortable fit. I would advise having only 
a few pairs of stockings on hand at a time, 
as babies' feet grow rapidly, and in a very 
short time the shoes and stockings are 
outgrown; tight stockings are capable of 
doing as much real harm to the foot as 
tight shoes, and stockings that were pro- 
vided for the child at six months, just be- 
cause they are still whole and good, should 
not be made to do duty for the child at 
eight months. The child's foot has grown 
very materially, and more than likely the 



146 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

stockings, too, from constant washings, 
have become more or less shrunken; and 
still, without any thought of the discom- 
fort they might cause the child, the little 
feet and legs are too often stuffed into out- 
grown stockings. Aside from their being 
uncomfortable to the child, stockings too 
snug in fit will in time cause the toes to 
round out, and later in life we find the 
middle toe of the foot curving upward; 
as the toes grow larger it is forced against 
the top of the shoe, and the constant fric- 
tion causes painful corns. If the middle 
toe is not forced upward we are apt to find 
the little toe crowded either under or over 
the one next to it. This frequently causes 
soft corns between the toes. In order to 
avoid these difficulties stockings from the 
very first pair on should fit the foot smooth- 
ly and easily without wrinkles and without 
pinching the foot. 

It cannot be denied that shapely, chub- 
by legs look most cunning and inviting in 
their pink bareness when only half -stock- 
ings, or socks, are worn, and it is usually the 
mother who will not allow her baby to 
touch the floor for fear it will take cold 



TEACHING BABY TO WALK 147 

who is utterly oblivious of a possibility of 
harm happening from exposing those little 
uncovered legs on cold spring and autumn 
days. There is always danger and menace 
to a child's health in not properly protect- 
ing the legs and feet. It is the cause of 
many colds and sore throats. Cold ex- 
tremities also seriously interfere with good 
digestion and sow seeds of rheumatism. 
In warm weather the probability is that 
no harm will result from the wearing of 
socks, but think of the annoyance to the 
child in consequence of this pretty fashion. 
Those pretty legs make a dainty feast for 
mosquitoes and other insects. Do you 
think the child enjoys this? True, a mos- 
quito can bite through stockings, but I do 
not think he would bite nearly so often 
were he not tempted by the sight of the 
bare and tender flesh. Then there are 
scratches and bruises from bushes, briers, 
etc.; these would be far less if the legs 
were properly protected by stockings. 

The shoes of a very young child should be 
knitted, or made of cotton or woolen cloth 
or soft kid, and, like the stockings, should 
be a perfectly easy fit; no matter how 



148 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

light and flexible the material is, the toes 
should not be the slightest bit pointed, for 
if so the toes cannot help being crowded 
together. Have the toe of the shoe broad 
enough so that each toe can move sepa- 
rately. As soon as the child stands on the 
floor and attempts to walk, he should be 
provided with shoes that have a somewhat 
firmer sole, but still quite soft and flexible ; 
as he uses his feet more the soles can be 
a trifle stouter. Always select children's 
shoes with care, see that they are a good 
fit, so long that they do not crowd the toes 
under, broad enough not to cramp the 
foot, but not so large that the foot slides 
about in them. Watch the feet carefully; 
do not allow a child to wear a shoe a mo- 
ment after it is outgrown, for a shoe a 
very slight fraction of an inch too short 
will cause the joints of the foot to become 
diseased, and the child, in order to avoid 
the discomfort of the toes pressing against 
the end of a shoe that is a little short, will 
form the habit of walking on the side of 
his foot; this causes a weakness of the 
ankle. 

Heels are not desirable on the shoes of 



TEACHING BABY TO WALK 149 

little children, but by the time the child 
is two or three years old the heel end of the 
shoe should be slightly elevated, otherwise 
there is danger of flat foot. The sandal, 
now so popular for children's wear, allows 
a free action of the toes, but its flat sole 
does not support the instep, and it is the 
cause in many instances of the arch of the 
instep breaking down. High heels should 
never be worn, but when the child gradu- 
ates from the spring-heeled shoe one with 
a broad, low heel should take its place. 
Children who have weak ankles are much 
benefited by wearing shoes with reinforced 
or stiff ankles. There are, also, shoes made 
to correct the deformity of bow legs, but 
these must be worn at an early age in 
order to prove effectual. 



XII 

PHYSICAL TRAINING FOR CITY CHILDREN 

PHYSICAL training is more or less 
necessary for all children, but for the 
city-bred child it is most essential. Per- 
fect health cannot be associated with a 
body whose organs and the muscular tis- 
sue encompassing them are physically 
weak; neither can one expect to find 
health of mind and intellect where there is 
not health of body. As the population in 
our large cities becomes larger and more 
congested there comes an urgent need for 
the children to have a certain amount of 
systematic daily exercise. This is especial- 
ly true of the children of the better classes, 
who while in the house seldom have the 
run of more than one room which serves 
as nursery. If the home is a private dwell- 



PHYSICAL TRAINING 151 

ing this room may be a fair-sized one, but 
if an apartment, it is usually very small 
and often poorly ventilated. * 

One mother remarked : "I keep baby in 
the open air all day in pleasant weather, 
so the night really matters little"; but of 
the many unpleasant days no mention was 
made. This mother was what may be called 
a model mother. At least she certainly 
tried to be one. Her baby was dressed 
most daintily and simply, the undergar- 
ments were made of the most approved 
hygienic shape and material; soap and 
other toilet accessories were of the finest 
and purest ; in fact, everything pertaining 
to the child, including the model nurse- 
maid, was quite up to date. The baby's 
ruddy little cheeks spoke for the hours 
spent in the park; but with what would 
seem almost perfect surroundings and care 
there was evidently something lacking. 
One cold after another seemed to pursue 
this little six-months-old baby. These 
colds were not especially severe, but the 
persistency of the trouble and the child's 
seeming physical inability to ward them off 

necessitated the occasional attention of a 
11 



152 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

physician and kept the mother in a con- 
stant state of anxiety as to the cause of 
the attacks. The mother also became 
over-careful about wrapping baby up when 
he went out, and kept him pretty well 
covered in the house. Also she deferred 
putting him in short clothes. 

Aside from these colds the baby seemed 
fairly well, although it was noticed that 
his flesh seemed rather soft, with no re- 
sistance, also that he was easily chilled in 
the bath. Frequently it would be twenty 
minutes or more before finger and toe nails, 
which had assumed a bluish hue, resumed 
their natural pink color. With good hered- 
ity, good surroundings, and good care, it 
was rather difficult to determine where the 
fault lay and why this trouble should per- 
sist, so it was decided to carefully study 
each day's routine and try to find, if possi- 
ble, the defect and the cause of the trouble. 
The result was as follows: The milk for 
the food was selected from a dairy noted 
for the purity of its products; it was care- 
fully prepared and administered at the 
proper time; and the bottles were kept 
absolutely clean. The fact of the child's 



PHYSICAL TRAINING 153 

never having had any gastric or intestinal 
disturbance spoke for itself. The bath 
was given at about 8 a.m. in a well-heated 
nursery, after which the bottle was given 
and the baby took a nap lasting from one- 
half hour to an hour. 

As soon as he awoke, hat and coat, which 
had previously been thoroughly warmed, 
were donned and he was taken out for the 
daily airing. The coat, which was heavy 
and long, was closely wrapped about him 
and the ends were turned up and pinned 
over the feet ; the child was then placed in 
the perambulator, on his back, and from 
the neck down he was snugly tucked in; 
certainly he looked comfortable and con- 
tented even if he wasn't allowed to move 
hand or foot. At noon the child was taken 
into the house to be fed and have his nap. 
The nap was taken in the nursery with 
windows wide open, the outdoor wraps 
not being removed. After the nap he was 
taken out again for three or four hours 
more, according to the brightness of the 
day. During the hours spent in the house 
between rising and going to bed the child 
was either in the nurse's arms, lying placid- 



iS4 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

ly on her lap, or on the bed, with an afghan 
over him. 

Carefully considering the case, it was de- 
cided that the conditions surrounding the 
child seemed perfect, with one exception, 
and that was an almost total lack of physi- 
cal exercise, for about the only time in the 
twenty-four hours the baby had any free 
use of arms and legs was during the morn- 
ing bath and the short time consumed in 
dressing and undressing him. Of his wak- 
ing hours a good half or more were spent 
flat on his baclf, bound down like an Egyp- 
tian mummy under his heavy coverings. 
He was totally unable to move hand, foot, 
or any part of his little body. During the 
remainder of the time, whether held or 
lying down, long petticoats and dress ham- 
pered any movement attempted. It was 
very evident that this baby did not get 
even that slight amount of physical exer- 
cise needed to keep even as small a body 
as his in fit condition, so a series of so- 
called exercises or gymnastics was insti- 
tuted as an experiment. The result was 
a marked success. 

Although it was midwinter, the first 



PHYSICAL TRAINING 155 

movement toward giving the baby free ac- 
tion of limb and muscle was to substitute 
short clothes for long ones, in order that 
while the child was in the house he could 
move and kick his legs quite freely. When 
out in his baby-carriage, instead of being 
tightly tucked under a heavy wool robe, he 
was loosely wrapped in a small eider-down 
comfortable which had the advantage of be- 
ing quite as warm as, if not more so than, 
the wool robe; and, being light and loose, 
the child could move his legs freely. Be- 
sides this, late every afternoon, just before 
the evening meal, with all clothes except 
undergarments removed, the baby was 
placed on his back on a low table with a 
soft pad under him, and the nurse put the 
child through a short series of exercises. 

First, grasping one leg by the ankle, with 
slight tension she slowly raised it until the 
upright position was reached, or, in other 
words, until the leg was at right angles 
with the body. This was done two or 
three times, then the other leg was put 
through the same course; then both legs 
together. The arms were then placed in 
position alongside the body and, like the 



156 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

legs, first one, then the other, then both 
were gently and slowly raised above the 
head and each movement gone through 
two or three times. The hands were then 
brought up to the shoulders and the arms 
spread out from the shoulder the same 
number of times; after this ten minutes 
of gentle massage was given to the entire 
body, especially to the legs and back, a 
little melted cocoa-butter being used as a 
lubricant. While always a fair sleeper, 
the baby now began to sleep as never be- 
fore; his sluggish circulation by means of 
these exercises was whipped up into a 
normal activity, and there was no more 
blueness of finger and toe nails; and as 
for the chronic colds, they were forgotten 
as a thing of the past. 

It does seem ridiculous to assume that 
physical exercises are at all necessary for 
infants of tender age, but I can assure you 
that cases such as the one just described 
are altogether too common among babies 
in the city. Children with exceedingly 
nervous temperament or those suffering 
from malnutrition must be made to start 
very gradually with these or any other 



PHYSICAL TRAINING 157 

form of exercises. At first it is best to 
commence with massage only, and prefer- 
ably just before putting the child to bed 
for the night; after a week or two of mas- 
sage gradually work in one movement each 
of legs and arms, gradually increasing the 
number of movements as the child grows 
stronger. With a healthy child it is well 
to commence the regular physical exercises 
with not more than two or three move- 
ments of each exercise; in a week or ten 
days add one more movement. Keep up 
this method, slowly increasing until each 
exercise is gone through with six or eight 
times. 

Older children of a year or more fare 
little better than the infant in the way of 
daily exercise. During the months when 
they are confined to the city, no matter 
how much the child is kept out in the open 
air, the conditions are such as to preclude 
much physical exertion. Take, for in- 
stance, the little creature strapped in his 
go-cart the better part of the day. He 
goes out after breakfast, comes in for din- 
ner and a short nap, then out again until 
sundown, then back for supper and bed. 



158 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

The only exercise he can possibly get at 
best in the twenty-four hours is a series 
of romps up and down the nursery or up 
and down the floor the nursery is on. He 
is taken up and down the stairs in the 
nurse's arms or in an elevator, and while 
on the street he is strapped in carriage or 
go-cart. Possibly he may leave the cart 
for a few moments to slowly drag along, 
held fast by the nurse's hand, or, if in the 
park, he may be allowed to stretch his 
little legs for a while by walking around 
the bench on which the nurse is sitting, to 
rest her weary limbs (for it may be said in 
behalf of the nurse that her legs and arms 
often get more than their share of exer- 
cise in the tedious task of pushing the 
heavy perambulator for hours over the 
hard city pavements, to say nothing of 
the monotony of the occupation). 

To return to the child, no such happy 
or unhappy lot is his; he must not be al- 
lowed to stir from a selected spot or come 
in contact with other children, for fear of 
contracting some dreaded contagious dis- 
ease. This is really quite proper, too, for 
the promiscuous mingling of children and 



PHYSICAL TRAINING 159 

nurses in the streets and parks is exceed- 
ingly dangerous and often the cause of 
spreading contagion. Children do survive 
the discipline and curtailing of outdoor 
exercise of a city winter, but is it not well 
to give them every advantage during this 
season? While nothing will quite take the 
place of the open-air exercise which these 
little ones obtain from their summers in the 
country, still this can be greatly augmented 
by systematic physical culture during the 
winter. 

The simple exercises described for the 
baby are sufficient for a child up to the 
second or third year; probably part of this 
time the mother or nurse will have to 
assist the child, as he will hardly be old 
enough to go through with them alone. 
In addition to the exercises already de- 
scribed, have the child lie on his stomach 
and raise his feet and legs as far back tow- 
ard the head as they will go; the object is 
to raise the leg from the knee to the thigh 
a little, if possible. Do not force the child 
in this movement ; let him go as far as he 
will without urging, and no farther. Also 
let him raise his head backward as far as 



160 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

he will. These movements are particu- 
larly good for developing and strengthen- 
ing the muscles of the chest and abdomen. 
While the child is in this position mother 
or nurse can be stroking the spine; to do 
this properly use the entire palm surface 
of the hand. Commence at the neck, and 
with a firm but gentle stroke bring the 
hand slowly down the spine to the extreme 
end; repeat this several times. Usually 
a child — or adult, also, for that matter — 
will stand this stroking for any length of 
time, as it is particularly restful and sooth- 
ing. A little sweet-oil may be used for 
lubricating the hand, or, better still, a solu- 
tion of one teaspoonful of alcohol to two 
of water. 

When children reach the runabout age, 
and after they have left the city for the 
summer, it is not necessary to give these 
exercises, for the seashore, with its salt- 
baths and sandy beaches to dig in, or the 
run of broad fields and lawns, practically 
settles the question of physical exercise 
for the child for the time being. 

It is not a good plan to allow a child to 
sleep with its hands and arms tucked under 



PHYSICAL TRAINING 161 

the bedclothes; they should be outside 
the covering and unconfined, as this al- 
lows the child to breathe freely and 
naturally, thus causing the lungs to ex- 
pand. If the mother fears a cold a long- 
sleeved bed-sacque may be worn over the 
nightdress, and the sleeves can be made 
long enough to come down over the hands 
and j be drawn in at the hem with a tape 
if the mother deems it necessary. 

As soon as an infant is able to sit up 
without assistance a correct position should 
always be maintained. If the child be 
bolstered up in crib or chair when tired 
he will slip down and rest on the end of 
his spine, or sometimes he will bend over 
and rest on the pillow or bed in front of 
him. Either of these positions is bad, 
causing a weakening and rounding-out of 
the spine, and as soon as noticed the posi- 
tion should be changed to a reclining one 
or the child should be held in the lap, 
the hands supporting the back. To sit 
correctly the child should rest on the pelvic 
bones and thighs. A child should not be 
allowed to sit with the feet crossed in 
front of him, as this will later cause the 



i62 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

child to walk with toes turned out at an 
extreme angle, and encourages an ugly 
gait. 

Massage should be kept up until the 
child is able to walk. About the third 
year or earlier, if the child has learned to 
stand firmly on his feet and walk alone 
without tottering or swaying, the Swedish 
foot-movement exercises should be com- 
menced. These are exceedingly simple 
and easy for a little child to learn, and 
as soon as they are well under way and he 
is thoroughly accustomed to them, teach 
the child to raise himself on his toes, and 
let himself down again. After a while he 
may take three or four steps forward on 
the toes until he can cross the room in 
this position. These exercises are unsur- 
passed in developing the muscles of the 
legs; they also teach the child at an early 
age poise. He assumes an easy and grace- 
ful carriage in walking, quite different 
from the fat-legged child shuffling and 
stumbling along at the nurse's side, rarely 
lifting his foot from the pavement. Chil- 
dren who have had the advantage of early 
physical training do not pick their way 



PHYSICAL TRAINING 163 

around a puddle to avoid wet feet, but 
with a light spring skip over the impeding 
obstacle, then turn back to see if it can 
be cleared in a standing jump. 

As early as possible the child should be 
taught deep breathing. He should stand 
in an upright position and take from six 
to a dozen good deep breaths two or three 
times a day. If the child is inclined to 
stammer have him hold the breath for 
three or four seconds, which will help to 
overcome this habit. The mouth should 
be closed during this breathing exercise, 
which necessitates keeping the nostrils free 
from obstructing mucus. If more atten- 
tion were paid to keeping the nose clean 
there would be less mouth-breathing among 
children, which causes most of the nose, 
throat, and ear troubles so prevalent 
among them. There are a number of 
small books on physical culture which 
would greatly assist the mother in selecting 
a variety of exercises for the daily routine. 
For children over five years of age the 
gymnasium once or twice each week is 
very beneficial. In cities most schools 
for physical culture have a children's class, 



i6 4 YOUNG MOTHER'S HANDBOOK 

which is usually in charge of a young 
woman. Gymnastics, however, should not 
be carried to the extent of trying to ac- 
complish difficult feats or stunts. Over- 
training is apt to result unpleasantly, but 
every movement of arms, legs, or body 
which helps to develop strength and grace 
or beauty of outline and figure should 
be cultivated. Dancing - schools, by the 
way, if sensibly conducted, are an ex- 
cellent means toward developing these 
graces. 

When children are old enough to attend 
school I would advise the selection of one 
where good, sensible calisthenics, not show 
ones, are a part of the daily regime; also 
where attention is paid to the child's pos- 
ture while sitting at desk or standing 
during recitations. Many children acquire 
spinal curvatures and unequal develop- 
ment of hips by not having careless habits 
in the school-room corrected. Remember, 
too, that at this age the daily bath is still 
an important factor in the physical well- 
being of the child, for as the child grows 
older and attends school there is a growing 
laxness in this respect, and a hasty com- 



PHYSICAL TRAINING 165 

promise in the shape of a sponge takes the 
place of the full bath. Don't neglect the 
bath; it pays. At an early age stimulate 
in children a normal pride for physical 
perfection and cleanliness. 



THE END 



